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Oexits. 




V tri weekly PUBLlCMlONf OF THE BEST CURREHIT & STAKDARD LITERKTURE 




lo. 463 . 


Vol. 9. No. 4$3. Not, 25,1884. Aunual Subscription, $30.00. 


THE 


DEERSLAYER 


J. FENIMORE COOPER 


AUTHOR OF “THE PATHFINDER,” “THE 
LAST OP THE MOHICANS,” &c. ^ 


Entered at the Poet Office, N. Y., as second-class matter. 
Copyright, 1884, by John W. Lovell Co. 


NEW-YORK 


joHN-W- Lovell - GonPANY + 

— — 1 4. R16 VESEY STREET 


'^t CLOTH HUlDIHUfor this volume can be obtained from any bookseller or newsdealer, price t5cts. 



J. Fenimore Cooper’s Masterpieces. 

THE SPY. 


The Last of the Mohicans. 

1 vol., 12mo. Paper Covers, 50c. Cl th, Gold and Black, $1.00. 


These books are unabridged, and printed on heavy white pane 
from large, new type. 

What Daniel Webster said of these Books: — ‘^The enduring 
monuments of J. Fenimore Cooper are his works. While the lov» 
of country continues to prevail, his memory will exist in the hearts 
of the people. So truly patriotic and American throughout, thet 
should find a place in every American’s library.” 

W. H. Prescott, the great historian, said: — “In his produc 
tions every American must take an honest pride.” 

Another great historian, George Bancroft, writes:— “Hi" 
surpassing ability has made his own name and the names of tl 
creations of his fancy ‘ household words ’ throughout tho civilize 
world.” 

Washington Irving left on record:— “Cooper emphadcall 
belongs to the nation. He has left a space in our literature whic 
will not be easily supplied.” 

Wm. C. Bryant, the poet and philosopher, says:— “He wrote ft 
mankind at large; hence it is that he has earned a fame wider that 
any author of modern times. The creations of his genius sha 
survive through centuries to come, and only perish with ou 
language.” 


JOHN W. LOVELL CO., Publishers, 


14 & 10 Vesey St., New YorP. 


- The Deerslayer 


OR 


I THE FIRST WAR-PATH 


BY ^ 

J. FENIMORE COOPER 


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NEW YORK 


JOHN W. LOVELL COMPANY 
14 AND 16 Vesey Street 





1 




TROW»8 

PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY, 


NEW YORK, 


PREFACE 


TO THE 

LEATHER-STOCKING TALES. 


This series of stories, which has obtained the name of 
“ The Leather-Stocking Tales," has been written in a very- 
desultory and inartificial manner. The%order in which the 
several books appeared was essentially different from that 
in which they would have been presented to the world, 
had the regular course of their incidents been consulted. 
In “The Pioneers,” the first of the series written, the 
Leather-Stocking is represented*as already old, and driven 
from his early haunts in the forest by the sound of the 
axe, and the smoke of the settler. “The Last of the Mohi- 
cans,” the next book in the order of publication, carried 
the readers back to a much earlier period in the history of 
our hero, representing him as middle-aged, and in the full- 
est vigor of manhood. In “The Prairie,” his career ter- 
minates, and he is laid in his grave. There, it was origin- 
ally the intention to leave him, in the expectation that, as 
in the case of the human mass, he would soon be forgotten. 
But a latent regard for this character induced the author 
to resuscitate him in “ The Pathfinder,” a book that was 
not long after succeeded by “ The Deerslayer,” thus com- 
pleting the series as it now exists. 

While the five books that have been' written were ori- 
ginally published in the order just mentioned, that of the 
incidents, insomuch as they are connected with the career 
of their principal character, is, as has been stated, very 
different. Taking the life of the Leather-Stocking as a 
guide,- “ The Deerslayer ” should have been the opening 


4 


PREFACE. 


book, for in that work he is seen just emerging into man- 
hood ; to be succeeded by “ The Last of the Mohicans,” 
“The Pathfinder,” “The Pioneers,” and “The Prairie.” 
This arrangement embraces the order of events, though 
far from being that in which the books at first appeared. 
“ The Pioneers ” was published in 1822 ; “The Deerslayer” 
in 1841 ; making the interval between them nineteen 
years. Whether these progressive years have had a ten- 
dency to lessen the value of the last-named book, by les- 
sening the native fire of its author, or of adding some- 
what in the way of improved taste and a more matured 
judgment, is for others to decide. 

If anything from the pen of the writer of these romances 
is at all to outlive himself, it is unquestionably the series 
of “The Leather-Stocking Tales.” To say this, is not to 
predict a very lasting reputation for the series itself, but 
simply to express the belief it will outlast any, or all, of 
the works from thg same hand. 

It is undeniable that the desultory manner in which 
“The Leather-Stocking Tales” were written, has in a 
measure impaired their harmony, and otherwise lessened 
their interest. This is proved by the fate of the two books 
last published, though pi'obably the two most worthy an 
enlightened and cultivated reader’s notice. If the facts 
could be ascertained, it is probable that the result would 
show that of all those (in America, in particular) who have 
read the first three books of the series, not one in ten has 
a knowledge of the existence even of the last two. Sev- 
eral causes have tended to produce this result. The long 
interval of time between the appearance of “The Prairie ” 
and that of “The Pathfinder,” was itself a reason why the 
later books of. the series should be overlooked. There 
was no longer novelty to attract attention, and the interest 
was materially impaired by the manner in which events 
were necessarily anticipated, in laying the last of the series 
first before the world. With the generation that is now 
coming on the stage this fault will be partially removed 
by the edition contained in the present work, in which the 
several tales will be arranged solely in reference to their 
connection with each other. 

The author has often been asked if he had any original 
in his mind for the character of Leather-Stocking. In a 


PREFACE. 


5 


physical sense, different individuals known to the writer 
in early life, certainly presented themselves as models, 
through his recollections ; but in a moral sense this man 
of the forest is purely a creation. The idea of delineating 
a character that possessed little of civilization but its high- 
est principles as they are exhibited in the uneducated, and 
all of savage life that is not incompatible with these great 
rules of conduct, is perhaps natural to the situation in 
which Natty was placed. He is too proud of his origin to 
sink into the condition of the wild Indian, and too much a 
man of the woods not to imbibe as much as was at all de- 
sirable from his friends and companions. In amoral point 
of view it was the intention to illustrate the effect of seed 
scattered by the way-side. To use his own language, his 
“ gifts ” were “white gifts,” and he was not disposed to 
bring on them discredit. On the other hand, removed 
from nearly all the temptations of civilized life, placed in 
the best associations of that which is deemed savage, and 
favorably disposed by nature to improve such advantages, 
it appeared to the writer that his hero was a fit subject to 
represent the betted qualities of both conditions, without 
pushing either to extremes. 

There was no violent stretch of the imagination, perhaps, 
in supposing one of civilized associations in childhood re- 
taining many of his earliest lessons amid the scenes of the 
forest. Had these early impressions, however, not been 
sustained by continued though casual connection with men 
of his own color, if not of his own caste, all our informa- 
tion goes to show he would soon have lost every trace of 
his origin. It is believed that sufficient attention was paid 
to the particular circumstances in which this individual 
was placed, to justify the picture of his qualities that has 
been drawn. The Delawares early attracted the attention 
of the missionaries, and were a tribe unusually influenced 
by their precepts and example. In many instances they 
became Christians, and cases occurred in which their sub- 
sequent lives gave proof of the efficacy of the great moral 
changes that had taken place within them. 

A leading character in a work of fiction has a fair right 
to the aid which can be obtained, from a poetical view of 
the subject. It is in this view, rather than in one more 
strictly circumstantial, that Leather-Stocking has been 


6 


PREFACE. 


drawn. The imagination has no great task in portraying 
to itself a being removed from the every-day inducements 
to err, which abound in civilized life, while he retains the 
best and simplest of his early impressions ; who sees God 
in the forest ; hears Him in the winds ; bows to Him in the 
firmament that o’ercanopies all ; submits to His sway in 
an humble belief of his justice and mercy ; in a word, a 
being who finds the impress of the Deity in all the works 
of Nature, without any of the blots produced by the ex- 
pedients, and passions, and mistakes of man. This is the 
most that has been attempted in the character of Leather- 
Stocking. Had this been done without any of the draw- 
backs of humanity, the picture would have been, in all 
probability, more pleasing than just. In order to preserve 
the vraisemblable^ therefore, traits derived from the prejud- 
ices, tastes, and even the weaknesses of his youth, have been 
mixed up with these higher qualities and longings, in a 
way, it is hoped, to represent a reasonable picture of hu- 
man nature, without offering to the spectator a “monster” 
of goodness. 

It has been objected to these books that they give a 
more favorable picture of the red man than he deserves. 
The w’riter apprehends that much of this objection arises 
from the habits of those who have made it. One of his 
critics, on the appearance of the first work in which Indian 
character was portrayed, objected that its “ characters were 
Indians of the school of Heckewelder, rather than of the 
school of Nature.” These words quite probably contain 
the substance of the true answer to the objection. Hecke- 
welder was an ardent, benevolent missionary, bent on the 
good of the red man, and seeing in him one who had ‘the 
soul, reason, and characteristics of 'a fellow-being. The 
critic is understood to have been afvery distinguished agent 
of the government, one very familiar with Indians, as they 
are seen at the councils to treat for the sale of their lands, 
where little or none of their domestic qualities come in 
play, and where, indeed, their evil passions are known to 
have the fullest scope. As just would it be to draw con- 
clusions of the general state of American society from the 
scenes of the capital, as to suppose that the negotiating of 
one of these treaties is a fair picture of Indian life. 

It is the privilege of all writers of fiction, more particu- 


PREFACE. 


1 


larly when their works aspire to the elevation of romances, 
to present the beau ideal of their characters to the reader. 
This it is which constitutes poetry, and to suppose that 
the red man is to be represented only in the squalid misery 
or in the degraded moral state that certainly more or less 
belongs to his condition, is, we apprehend, taking a very 
narrow view of an author’s privileges. Such criticism 
would have deprived the world of even Homer. 



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PREFACE. 


As has been stated in the preface to the series of the 
Leather-Stocking Tales, “ The Deerslayer ” is properly the 
first in the order of reading, though the last in that of 
publication. In this book the hero is represented as just 
arriving at manhood, with the freshness of feeling that be- 
longs to that interesting period of life, and with the power 
to please that properly characterizes youth. As a conse- 
quence, he is loved ; and, what denotes the real wayward- 
ness of humanity, more than it corresponds with theories 
and moral propositions, perhaps, he is loved by one full of 
art, vanity, and weakness ; and loved principally for his 
sincerity, his modesty, and his unerring truth and probity. 
The preference he gives to the high qualities named, over 
beauty, delirious passion, and sin, it is hoped, will offer a 
lesson that can injure none. This portion of the book is 
intentionally kept down, though it is thought to be suffi- 
ciently distinct to convey its moral. 

The intention has been to put the sisters in strong con- 
trast ; one admirable person, clever, filled with the pride 
of beauty, erring and fallen ; the other, barely provided 
with sufficient capacity to know good from evil, instinct, 
notwithstanding, with the virtues of woman, reverencing 
and loving God, and yielding only to the weakne^ of her 
sex in admiring personal attractions in one too coarse and 
unobservant to distinguish or to understand her quiet, 
gentle feeling in his favor. 

As for the scene of this tale, it is intended for, and be- 
lieved to be a close description of the Otsego prior to the 
year 1760, when the first rude settlement was commenced 
on its banks, at that time only an insignificant clearing 
near the outlet, with a small hut of squared logs, for the 


lO 


PREFACE. 


temporary dwelling of the Deputy Superintendent of In- 
dian Affairs. These recollections of the writer carry him 
back distinctly to a time when nine-tenths of the shores of 
this lake were in the virgin forest, a peculiarity that was 
owing to the circumstance of the roads running through 
the first range of valleys removed from the water-side. 
The woods and the mountains have ever formed a prin- 
cipal source of beauty with this charming sheet of water,' 
enough of the former remaining to this day to relieve the 
open grounds from monotony and tameness. 

In most respects the descriptions of scenery in the tale are 
reasonably accurate. 'The Vock appointed for the rendez- 
vous between the Deerslayer and his friend the Delaware 
still remains, bearing the name of the Otsego Rock. The 
shoal on which Hutter is represented as having built his 
“ castle ” is a little misplaced, lying, in fact, nearer to the 
northern end of the lake, as well as to the eastern shore, 
than is stated in this book. Such a shoal, however, exists, 
surrounded on all sides by deep water. In the driest sea- 
sons a few rocks are seen above the surface of the lake, and 
rushes, at most periods of the year, mark its locality. In 
a word, in all but precise position, even this feature of the 
book is accurate. The same is true of the several points 
introduced, of the bay, of the river, of the mountains, and 
all the other accessories of the place. 

The legend is purely fiction, no authority existing for 
any of its facts, characters, or other peculiarities, beyond 
that which was thought necessary to secure the semblance 
of reality. Truth compels us to admit that the book has 
attracted very little notice, and that if its merits are to be 
computed by its popularity, the care that has been bestowed 
on this edition might as well be spared. Such, at least, 
has been its fate in America ; whether it has met with bet- 
ter success in any other country we have no means of 
knowing. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


CHAPTER I. 

“There is a pleasure in the pathless woods. 

There is a rapture on the lonely shore, 

There is society where none intrudes, 

By the deep sea, and music in its roar ; 

I love not man the less, but Nature more, 

From these our interviews, in which I steal. 

From all I may be or have been before. 

To mingle with the universe, and feel 

What I can ne’er express, yet cannot all conceal.” 

— Childe Harold. 

On the human imagination, events produce the effects of 
time. Thus, he who has travelled far and seen much is apt 
to fancy that he has lived long ; and the history that most 
abounds in important incidents .soonest assumes the aspect 
of antiquity. In no other way can we account for the ven- 
erable air that is already gathering around American an- 
nals. When the mind reverts to the earliest days of colo- 
nial history, the period seems remote and obscure, the 
thousand changes that thicken along the links of recollec- 
tions throwing back the origin of the nation to a day so 
distant as seemingly to reach the mists of time ; and yet 
four lives of ordinary duration would suffice to transmit, 
from mouth to mouth, in the form of tradition, all that 
civilized man has achieved within the limits of the repub- 
lic. Although New York alone possesses a population 
materially exceeding that of either of the four smallest 
kingdoms of Europe, or materially exceeding that of the 
entire Swiss Confederation, it is little more than two cen- 
turies since the Dutch commenced their settlement, res- 


12 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


cuing the region from the savage state. Thus, what seems 
venerable by an accumulation of changes, is reduced to 
familiarity when we come seriously to consider it solely in 
connection with time. 

This glance into the perspective of the past will prepare 
the reader to look at the pictures we are about to sketch, 
with less surprise than he might otherwise feel ; and a few 
additional explanations may carry him back in imagina- 
tion to the precise condition of society that we desire to 
delineate. It is matter of history that the settlements on 
the eastern shores of the Hudson, such as Claverack, 
Kinderhook, and even Poughkeepsie, were not regarded 
as safe from Indian incursions a century since ; and there 
is still standing on the banks of the same river, and within 
musket-shot of the wharves of Albany, a residence of a 
younger branch* of the Van Rensselaers, that has loop- 
holes constructed for defence against the same crafty 
enemy, although it dates from a period scarcely so distant. 
Other similar memorials of the infancy of the country are 
to be found scattered through what is now deemed the 
very centre of American civilization, affording the plainest 
proofs that all we possess of security from invasion and 
hostile violence is the growth of but little more than the 
time that is frequently filled by a single human life. 

The incidents of this tale occurred between the years 
1740 and 1745, when the settled portions of the colony of 
New York were confined to the four Atlantic counties, a 
narrow belt of country on each side of the Hudson, ex- 
tending from its mouth to the falls near its head, and to a 
few advanced “neighborhoods ” on the Mohawk and the 
Schoharie. Broad belts of the virgin wilderness not only 
reached the shores of the first river, but they even crossed 
it, stretching away into New England, and affording forest 
covers to the noiseless moccasin of the native warrior, as he 
trod the secret and bloody war-path. A bird’s-eye view of 
the whole region east of the Mississippi must then have 
offered one vast expanse of woods, relieved by a compara- 
tively narrow fringe of cultivation along the sea, dotted by 
the glittering surfaces of lakes, and intersected by the 

* It is no more than justice to say that the Greenbush Van Rensselaers 
claim to be the oldest branch of that ancient and respectable family. 


THE DERRSLA YER. 


13 


waving lines of rivers. In such a vast picture of solemn 
solitude, the district of country we design to paint sinks 
into insignificance, though we feel encouraged to proceed 
by the conviction that, with slight and immaterial distinc- 
tions, he who succeeds in giving an accurate idea of any 
portion of this wild region must necessarily convey a 
tolerably correct notion of the whole. 

Whatever may be the changes produced by man, the 
eternal round of the seasons is unbroken. Summer and 
winter, seed-time and harvest, return in their stated order, 
with a sublime precision, affording to man one of the 
noblest of all the occasions' he enjoys of proving the high 
powers of his far-reaching mind, in compassing the laws 
that control their exact uniformity, and in calculating 
their never-ending revolutions. Centuries of summer suns 
had warmed the tops of the same noble oaks and pines, 
sending their heats even to the tenacious roots, when 
voices were heard calling to each other in the depths of a 
forest, of which the leafy surface lay bathed in the bril- 
liant light of a cloudless day in June, while the trunks of 
the trees rose in gloomy grandeur in the shades beneath. 
Tlie calls were in different tones, evidently proceeding 
from two men who had lost their way, and ^v'ere searching 
in different directions for their path. At length a shout 
proclaimed success, and presently a man of gigantic mould 
broke out of the tangled labyrinth of a small swamp, emerg- 
ing into an opening that appeared to have been formed 
partly by the ravages of the wind, and partly by those of 
fire. This little area, which afforded a good view" of the 
sky, although it was pretty well filled w’ith dead trees, lay 
on the side of one of the high hills, or few mountains, into 
w"hich nearly the whole of the adjacent country was broken. 

“ Here is room to breathe in ! ” exclaimed the liberated 
forester, as soon as he found himself under a clear sky, 
shaking his huge frame like a mastiff that has just escaped 
from a snovr-bank. “ Hurrah, Deersiayer, here is daylight 
at last, and yonder is the lake.” 

Those w"ords w"ere scarcely uttered wdien the second for- 
ester dashed aside the bushes of the swamp and appeared 
ija-fJ^.G--^i*eha.* After making a hurried adjustment of his 
arms and disordered dre^s. he joined his companion, who 
had already begun his dispositicjffG lor a halt. 


14 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


“ Do you know this spot ? ” demanded the one called 
Deerslayer, “or do you shout at the sight of the sun ? ” 

“ Both, lad, both ; I know the spot, and am not sorry to 
see so useful a friend as the sun. Now we have got the 
p’ints of the compass in our minds once more, and ’twill 
be our own faults if we let anything turn them topsy-turvy 
again, as has just happened. My name is not Hurry 
Harry, if this be not the very spot where the land-hunters 
’camped last summer, and passed a week. See, yonder 
are the dead bushes of their bower, and here is the spring. 
Much as I like the sun, boy, I’ve no occasion for it to tell 
me it is noon, this stomach of mine is as good a time-piece 
as is to be found in the colony, and it already p’ints to 
half-past twelve. So open the wallet, and let us wind up 
for another six hours’ run.” 

At this suggestion, both set themselves about making the 
preparations necessary for their usual frugal but hearty 
meal. We will profit by this pause in the discourse to 
give the reader some idea of the appearance of the men, 
each of whom is destined to enact no insignificant part of 
our legend. . It would not have been easy tafind a more 
noble specimen of vigorous manhood than was offered in 
the person of*him who called himself Hurry Harry. His 
real name was Henry March ; but the frontier-men having 
caught the practice of giving sobriquets from the Indians, 
the appellation of Hurry^vas far oftener applied to him 
than his proper designation, and not unfrequently he was 
termed Hurry Skurry, a nickname he had obtained from a 
dashing, reckless, off-hand manner, and a physical restless- 
ness that kept him so constantly on the move, as to cause 
him to be known along the whole line of scattered habita- 
tions that lay between the province and the Canadas. The 
stature of Hurry Harry exceeded six feet four, and being 
usually well proportioned, his strength fully realized the 
idea created by his gigantic frame. The face did no dis- 
credit to the rest of the man, for it was botli good-humored 
and handsome. His air was free, and, though his manner 
necessarily partook of the rudeness of a border-lifo, the 
grandeur that pervaded so noble a physique DrevL,.ilcd 
from becoming altogether vulgar. 

Deerslayer, as Hurry ailed his companion, was 
different person in ap])ea4ance, as well as in character, lii 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


IS 

stature, he stood about six feet in his moccasins, but his 
frame was comparatively light and slender, showing muscles, 
however, that promised unusual agility, if not unusual 
strength. His face would have had little to recommend it 
except youth, were it not for an expression that seldom 
failed to win upon those who had leisure to examine it, and 
to yield to the feeling of confidence it created. This ex- 
pression was simply that of guileless truth, sustained by an 
earnestness of purpose, and a sincerity of feeling, that ren- 
dered it remarkable. At times this air of integrity seemed 
to be so simple as to awaken the suspicion of a want of the 
usual means to discriminate between artifice and truth ; 
but few came in serious contact with the man, without los- 
ing this distrust in respect for his opinions and motives. 

Both these frontier-men were still young. Hurry having 
reached the age of six or eight and twenty, while Deer- 
slayer was several years his junior. Their attire needs no 
particular description, though it may be well to add that it 
was composed, in no small degree, of dressed deerskins, 
and had the usual signs of belonging to those who pass 
their time between the skirts of civilized society and the 
boundless forests. There was, notwithstanding, some at- 
tention to smartness and the picturesque in the arrange- 
ments of Deerslayer’s dress, more particularly with the 
part connected with his arms and accoutrements. His rifle 
was in perfect condition, the handle of his hunting^-knife 
was neatly carved, his' powder-horn was ornamented with 
suitable devices liglitly cut into the material, and his shot- 
pouch was decorated with wampum. On the other hand, 
Hurry Harry, either from constitutional recklessness, or 
from a secret consciousness how little his appearance re- 
quired artificial aids, wore everything in acareless, slovenly 
manner, as if he felt a noble scorn for the trifling access- 
ories of dress and ornaments. Perhaps the peculiar effect 
of his fine form and great stature was increased, rather 
than lessened, by this unstudied and disdainful air of indif- 
ference. 

“ Come, Deerslayer, fall to, and prove that you have a 
Delaware stomach, as you say you have had a Delaware 
edication,” cried Hurry, setting the example by opening 
his mouth to receive a slice of cold yeq^Qn Steak that 
would have made an entpe meal for a European peasant.; 


i6 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


fall to, lad, and prove your manhood on this poor devil 
of a doe, with your teeth, as you’ve already done with your 
rifle.” 

“Nay, nay. Hurry, there’s little manhood in killing a 
doe, and that too out of season ; though there might be 
some in bringing down a painter or a catamount,” returned 
the other, disposing himself to comply. “ The Delawares 
have given me my name, not so much on account of a 
bold heart, as on account of a quick eye and an actyve foot. 
There may not be any cowardyce in overcoming a deer, 
but, sartin it is, there’s no great valor.” 

“The Delawares themselves are no heroes,” muttered 
Hurry through his teeth, the mouth being too full to per- 
mit it to be fairly opened, “ or they never would have al- 
lowed them loping vagabonds, the Mingoes, to make them 
women.” 

“ That matter is not rightly understood — has never been 
rightly explained,” said Deerslayer, earnestly, for he was 
as zealous a friend as his companion was dangerous as an 
enemy; “the Mengwe fill the woods with their lies, and 
misconstruct words and treaties. I have now lived ten 
years with the Delawares, and know them to be as man- 
ful as any other nation, when the proper time to strike 
comes.” 

“ Harkee, Master Deerslayer, since we are on the sub- 
ject, we may as well open our minds to each other in a 
man-to-man way ; answer me one question : you have had 
so much luck among the game as to have gotten a title, it 
wbuld seem ; but did you ever hit anything human or in- 
telligible ? did you ever pull trigger on an inimy that was 
capable of pulling one upon you ? ” 

This question produced a singular collision between 
mortification and correct feeling, in the bosom of the 
youth, that was easily to be traced in the workings of his 
ingenuous countenance. The struggle was short, how- 
ever ; uprightness of heart soon getting the better of false 
pride and frontier boastfulness. 

“ To own the truth, I never did,” answered Deerslayer, 
“ seeing that a fitting occasion never offered. The Dela- 
W’ares have been peaceable since my sojourn with ’em, and 
I hold it to be unlawful to take the life of man, except in 
open and generous warfare.” 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


17 


“ What ! did you never find a fellow thieving among 
your traps and skins, and do the law on him with your own 
hands, by way of saving the magistrates trouble in the set- 
tlements, and the rogue himself the cost of the suit ? ” 

“ I am no trapper. Hurry,” returned the young man, 
proudly ; “ I live by the rifle, a we’pon at which I will not 
turn my back on any man of my years, atween the Hudson 
and the St. Lawrence. I never offer a skin that has not a 
hole in its head besides them which Natur’ made to see 
with or to breathe through.” 

“Ay, ay, this is all very well, in the animal way, though 
it makes but a poor figure alongside of scalps and and- 
bushes. Shooting an Indian from an and-bush is acting 
up to his own principles, and, now we have what you call 
a lawful war on our hands, the sooner you wipe that dis- 
grace off your character, the sounder will be your sleep, if 
it only come from knowing there is one inimy the less 
prowling in the woods. I shall not frequent your society 
long, friend Natty, unless you look higher than four-footed 
beasts to practice your rifle on.” 

“ Our journey is nearly ended, you say. Master March, 
and we can part to-night, if you see occasion. I have a 
fri’nd waiting for me, who will think it no disgrace to con- 
sort with a fellow-creatur’ that has never yet slain his 
kind.” 

“I wish I knew wLat has brought that skulking Dela- 
ware into this part of the country so early in the season,” 
muttered Hurry to himself, in a way to show equally dis- 
trust and a recklessness of its betrayal. “ Where did you 
say the young chief was to give you the meeting ?” 

“ At a small, round rock, near the foot of the lake, where, 
they tell me, the tribes are given to resorting to make their 
treaties, and to bury their hatchets. This rock have 1 often 
heard the Delawares mention, though lake and rock are 
equally strangers to me. The country is claimed by both 
Mingoes and Mohicans, and is a sort of common territory 
to fish and hunt through, in time of peace, though what it 
may become in war-time the Lord only knows ! ” 

“ Common territory! ” exclaimed Hurry, laughing aloud. 
“ I should like to know what Floating Tom Hutter would 
say to that ? He claims the lake as his own property, in 
vartue of fifteen years’ possession, and will not be likely to 
2 


i8 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


give it up to either Mingo or Delaware without a battle 
for it.” 

“ And what will the colony say to such a quarrel ? All this 
country must have some owner, the gentry pushing their 
cravings into the wilderness, even where they never dare to 
ventur, in their own person, to look at the land they own.” 

“ That may do in other quarters of the cofony, Deerslayer, 
but it will not do here. Not a human being, the Lord ex- 
cepted, owns a foot of s’ile in this part of the country. 
Pen was never put to paper, concerning either hill, or val- 
ley, hereaway, as I’ve heard old Tom say, time and ag’in, 
and so he claims the best right to it of any man breathing ; 
and what Tom claims, he’ll be very likely to maintain.” 

“ By what I’ve heard. Hurry, this Floating Tom must be 
an oncommon mortal ; neither Mingo, Delaware, nor pale- 
face. His possession too, has been long, by your tell, and 
altogether beyond frontier endurance. What’s the man’s 
history and natur’ ? ” 

“Why, as to old Tom’s human natur’, it is not much like 
other men’s human natur’, but more like a muskrat’s hu- 
man natur’, seeing that he takes more to the ways of that 
animal than to the ways of any other fellow-creatur’. Some 
t! ink he was a free liver on the salt water, in his youth, 
and a companion of a sartin Kidd, who was hanged for 
piracy long afore you and I were born or acquainted, and 
that he came up into these regions, thinking that the king’s 
cruisers could never cross the mountains, and that he 
might enjoy the plunder peaceably in the woods.” 

“ Then he was wrong. Hurry — very wrong. A man can 
enjoy plunder peaceably nowhere.” 

“ That’s much as his turn of mind may happen to be. 
I’ve known them that never could enjoy it at all, unless it 
was in the midst of a jollification, and them ag’in that en- 
joyed it best in a corner. Some men have no peace if they 
don’t find plunder, and some if they do. Human natur’ is 
crooked in these matters. Old Tom seems to belong to 
neither set, as he enjoys his, if plunder he has really got, 
with his darters, in a very quiet and comfortable way, and 
wishes for no more.” 

“Ay, he has darters, too ; I’ve heard the Delawares, 
who’ve hunted this-a-way, tell their histories of these young 
women. Is there no mother. Hurry ? ” 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


19 


“ There was once^ as in reason ; but she has now been 
dead and sunk these two good years.” 

“ Anan ? ” said Deerslayer, looking up at his companion 
in a little surprise. 

“Dead and sunk, I say, and I hope’s that’s good English. 
The old fellow lowered his wife into 'the lake, by way of 
seeing the last of her, as I can testify, being the eye-witness 
of the ceremony ; but whether Tom did it to save digging, 
which is no easy job among roots, or out of a consait that 
water washes away sin sooner than ’arth, is more than 1 
can say.” 

“Was the poor woman oncommon wicked, that her hus- 
band should take so much pains with her body ? ” 

“ Not onreasonable ; though she had her faults, I con- 
sider Judith Hutter to have been as graceful, and about as 
likely to make a good ind, as any woman who had lived 
so long beyond the sound of church-bells ; and I conclude 
old Tom sunk her as much by the way of saving pains, as 
by way of taking it. There was a little steel in her temper, 
it’s true, and, as old Hutter is pretty much flint, they 
struck out sparks once-and-a-while, but, on the whole, 
they might be said to live amicable-like. When they did 
kindle, the listeners got some such insights into their past 
lives as one gets into the darker parts of the woods, when 
a stray gleam of sunshine finds its way downno the roots 
of the trees. But Judith I shall always esteem, as it’s 
recommend enough to one woman to be the mother of 
such a creatur’ as her darter, Judith Hutter ! ” 

“Ay, Judith was the name the Delawares mentioned, 
though it was pronounced after a fashion of their own. 
From their discourse, I do not think the girl would much 
please my fancy.” 

“Thy fancy!” exclaimed March, taking fire equally at 
the indifference and at the presumption of his companion, 
“what the devil have you to do with a fancy, and that, too, 
consarning one like Judith ? You are but a boy— a sap- 
ling, that has scarce got root. Judith has had men among 
her suitors, ever since she was fifteen ; which is now near 
five years ; and will not be apt even to cast a look upon a 
half-grown creatur’ like you 1 ” 

“ It is June, and there is not a cloud atween us and the 
sun, Hurry, so all this heat is not wanted,” answered the 


20 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


Other, altogether undisturbed ; “ any one may have a 
fancy, and a squirrel has a right to make up his mind 
touching a catamount.” 

“Ay, but it might not be wise, always, to let the cata- 
mount know it,” growled March. “ But you’re young and 
thoughtless, and Fll overlook your ignorance. Come, 
Deerslayer,” he added with a good-natured laugh, after 
pausing a moment to reflect ; “ come, Deerslayer, we are 
sworn fri’nds, and will not quarrel about a light-minded, 
jilting jade, just because she happens to be handsome ; 
more especially as you have never seen her. Judith is 
only for a man whose teeth show the full marks, and it’s 
foolish to be afeared of a boy. What did the Delawares 
say of the hussy ; for an Indian, after all, has his notions 
of womankind, as well as a white man ? ” 

“ They said she was fair to look on, and pleasant of 
speech : but over-given to admirers, and light-minded.” 

“They are devils incarnate! After all, what school- 
master is a match for an Indian, in looking into natur’ ? 
Some people think they are only good on a trail or the 
war-path, but I say that they are philosophers, and under- 
stand a man as well as they understand a beaver, and a 
woman as well as they understand either. Now, that’s 
Judith’s character to a ribbon ! To own the truth to you, 
Deerslayer, I should have married the gal two years since, 
if it had not been for two particular things, one of -which 
was this very light-mindedness.” 

“ And what may have been the other?” demanded the 
hunter, who continued to eat like one that took very little 
interest in the subject. 

“ T’other was an insartainty about her having me. The 
hussy is handsome, and she knows it. Boy, not a tree that 
is growing in these hills is straighter, or waves in the wind 
with an easier bend, nor did you ever see the doe that 
bounded with a more nat’ral motion. If that was all, 
every tongue would sound her praises ; but she has such 
failings that I find it hard to overlook them, and some- 
times I swear I’ll never visit the lake ag’in.” 

“ Which is the reason that you always come back. Noth- 
ing is ever made more sure by swearing about it.” 

“ Ah, Deerslayer, you are a novelty in these partic’lars ; 
keeping as true to edication as if you had never left the 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


21 


settlements. With me the case is different, and I never 
want to clinch an idee, that I do not feel a wish to swear 
about it. If you know’d all that I know consarning Judith, 
you’d find a justification for a little cussing. Now, the of- 
ficers sometimes stray over to the lake, from the forts on 
the Mohawk, to fish aud hunt, and the creatur’ seems be- 
side herself ! You can see it in the manner in which she 
wears her finer}", and the airs she gives herself with the 
gallants.” 

“ That is unseemly in a poor man’s darter,” returned 
Deerslayer, gravely ; “the officers are all gentry, and can 
only look on such as Judith with evil intentions.” 

“ There’s the unsartinty, and the damper! I have my 
misgivings about a particular captain, and Jude has no one 
to blame but her own folly, if I’m wrong. On the whole, 
I wish to look upon her as modest and becoming, and yet 
the clouds that drive among these hill are not more un- 
sartain. Not a dozen white men have ever laid eyes upon 
her since she was a child, and yet her airs with two or three 
of these officers are extinguishers.” 

“ I would think no more of such a woman, but turn my 
mind altogether to the forest ; that will not deceive you, 
being ordered and ruled by a hand that never wavers.” 

“ If you knowd Judith, you would see how much easier 
it is to say this than it would be to do it. Could I bring 
my mind to be easy about the officers, I would carry the 
gal off to the Mohawk by force, make her marry me in 
spite of her whiffling, and leave old Tom to the care of 
Hetty, his other child, who, if she be not as handsome or 
as quick-witted as her sister, is much the most dutiful.” 

“ Is there another bird in the same nest ? ” asked Deey- 
slayer, raising his eyes with a species of half-awakened cu- 
riosity ; “the Delawares spoke to me only of one.” 

“That’s nat’ral enough, when Judith Hutter and Hetty 
Hutter are in question. Hetty is only comely, while her 
sister, I tell thee, boy, is such another as is not to be found 
atween this and the sea ; Judith is as full of wit, and talk, 
and cunning, as an old Indian orator, while poor Hetty is 
at the best but ‘compass meant us.’ ” 

“ Anan ?” inquired again the Deerslayer. 

“ Why, what the officers call ‘compass meant us,’ which 
I understand to signify that she means always to go in the 


22 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


right direction, but sometimes doesn’t know how. ‘ Com- 
pass ’ for the p’int, and ‘ meant us ’ for the intention. No, 
poor Hetty is what I call on the verge of ignorance, and 
sometimes she stumbles on one side of the line, and some- 
times on t’other.” 

“ Them are beings that the Lord has in His ’special care,” 
said Deerslayer, solemnly ; “ for he looks carefully to all 
Avho fall short of their proper share of reason. The red- 
skins honor and respect them who are so gifted, knowing 
that the Evil Spirit delights more to dwell in an artful 
body than in one that has no cunning to work upon.” 

“ I’ll answer for it, then, that he will not remain long 
with poor Hetty — for the child is just ‘compass meant us,’ 
as I have told you. Old Tom has a feeling for the gal, and 
so has Judith, quick-witted and glorious as she is herself ; 
else would I not answer for her being altogether safe among 
the sort of men that sometimes meet on the lake-shore.” 

“ I thought this water an onknown and little-frequented 
sheet,” observed the Deerslayer, evidently uneasy at the 
idea of being too near the world. 

“ It’s all that, lad, the eyes of twenty white men never 
having been laid on it ; still, twenty true-bred frontiermen 
— hunters, and trappers, and scouts, and the like — can do a 
deal of mischief if they try. ’Twould be an awful thing 
to me, Deerslayer, did I find Judith married after an ab- 
sence of six months ! ” 

“ Have you the gal’s faith, to encourage you to hope 
otherwise ? ” 

“ Not at all. I know not how it is — I’m good-looking, 
boy : that much I can'see in any spring on which the sun 
shines — and yet I could never get the hussy to a promise, 
or even a cordial, willing smile, though she will laugh by 
the hour. If she has dared to marry in my absence, she’ll 
be like to know the pleasures of widowhood afore she is 
twenty !” 

“You would not harm the man she has chosen, Hurry, 
simply because she found him more to her liking than 
yourself ? ” 

“ Why not ? If an inimy crosses my path, will I not 
beat him out of it? Look at me — am I a man like to let 
any sneaking, crawling skin-trader get the better of me In 
a matter that touches me as near as the kindness of Judith 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


23 


Hutter ? Besides, when we live beyond law, we must be 
our own judges and executioners. And if a man should 
found dead in the woods, who is there to say who slew 
him, even admitting that the colony took the matter in 
hand and made a stir about it ? ” 

“ If that man should be Judith Mutter’s husband, after 
what has passed, I might tell enough, at least, to put the 
colony on the trail.” 

“You — half-grown, venison-hunting bantling ! You dare 
to think of informing against Hurry Harry in so much as 
a matter touching a mink or a woodchuck ! ” 

“ I would dare to speak truth. Hurry, consarning you, 
or any man that ever lived.” 

March looked at his companion for a moment in silent 
amazement ; then, seizing him by the throat with both 
hands, he shook his comparatively slight frame with a 
violence that menaced the dislocation of some of the 
bones. Nor was this done jocularly, for anger flashed 
from the giant’s eyes, and there were certain signs that 
seemed to threaten much more earnestness than the occa- 
sion would appear to call for. Whatever might be the 
real intention of March, and it is probable there was none 
settled in his mind, it is certain that he was unusually 
aroused ; and most men who found themselves throttled 
by one of a mould so gigantic in such a mood, and in a 
solitude so deep and helpless, would have* felt intimidated, 
and tempted to yield even the right. Not so, however, 
with Deerslayer. His countenance remained unmoved ; 
his hand did not shake, and his answer was given in a 
voice that did not resort to the artifice of louder tones, 
even by way of proving its owner’s resolution. 

“You may shake, Hurry, until you bring down the 
mountain,” he said quietly, “ but nothing besides truth 
will you shake from me. It is probable that Judith Hut- 
ter has no husband to slay, and you may never have a 
chance to waylay one, else would I tell her of your threat 
in the first conversation I held with the gal.” 

March released his gripe, and sat regarding the other in 
silent astonishment. 

“ I thought we had been friends,” he at length added — 
“but you’ve got the last secret of mine that will ever enter 
your ears.” 


24 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


“ I want none, if they are to be like this. I know we 
live in the woods, Hurry, and are thought to be beyond 
human laws — and perhaps we are so in fact, whatever it 
may be in right — but there is a law, and a law-maker, that 
rule across the whole continent. He that flies in the face 
of either need not call me fri’nd.” 

“ Damme, Deerslayer, if 1 do not believe you are, at 
heart, a Moravian, and no fair-minded, plain-dealing hun- 
ter, as you’ve pretended to be ! ” 

“ Fair-minded or not. Hurry, you will find me as plain 
dealing in deeds as I am in words. But this giving way to 
sudden anger is foolish, and proves how little you have 
sojourned with the red man. Judith Hutter no doubt is 
still single, and you spoke but as the tongue ran, and not 
as the heart felt. There’s my hand, and we will say and 
think no more about it.” 

Hurry seemed more surprised than ever ; then he burst 
forth in a loud, good-natured laugh, which brought tears 
to his eyes. After this, he accepted the offered hand, and 
the parties became friends. 

“ ’Twould have been foolish to quarrel about an idee,” 
March cried, as he resumed his meal, “ and more like law- 
yers in the towns than like sensible men in the woods. 
They tell me, Deerslayer, much ill blood grows out of 
idees among the people in the lower counties, and that 
they sometimes get to extremities upon them.” 

“That they do — that they do ; and about other matters 
that might better be left to take care of themselves. I 
have heard the Moravians say that there are lands in 
which men quarrel even consarning their religion ; and if 
they can get their tempers up on such a subject, Hurry, 
the Lord have marcy on ’em ! Howsever, there is no oc- 
casion for our following their example, and more espe- 
cially about a husband that this Judith Hutter may never 
see, or never wish to see. For my part, I feel more cur’os- 
ity about the feeble-witted sister than about your beauty. 
There’s something that comes close to a man’s feelin’s, 
when he meets with a fellow-creatur’ that has hll the out- 
ward show of an accountable mortal, and who fails of be- 
ing what he seems only through a lack of reason. This is 
bad enough in a man, but when it comes to a woman, and 
she a young, and maybe a winning creatur’, fit touches all 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


the pitiful thoughts his natur’ has. God knows, Hurry, 
that such poor things be defenceless enough with all their 
wits about ’em ; but it’s a cruel fortun’ when that great pro- 
tector and guide fails ’em.” 

“ Harkee, Deerslayer — you know what the hunters, 
and trappers, and peltry-men in general be ; and their 
best friends will not deny that they are headstrong and 
given to having their own way, without much bethinking 
’em of other people’s rights or feelin’s — and yet I don’t 
think the man is to be found, in all this region, who would 
harm Hetty H utter if he could ; no, not even a red-skin.” 

“ Therein, fri’nd Hurry, you do the Delawares, at least, 
and all their allied tribes, only justice, for a red-skin looks 
upon a being thus struck by God’s power as especially un- 
der his care. I rejoice to hear what you say, howsever, I 
rejoice to hear it ; but as the sun is beginning to turn to- 
ward the a’ternoon’s sky, had we not better strike the trail 
ag’in, and make forward, that we may get an opportunity 
of seeing these wonderful sisters?” 

Harry March giving a cheerful assent, the remnants of 
the meal were soon collected ; then the travellers shoul- 
dered their packs, resumed their arms, and, quitting the 
little area of light, they again plunged into the deep shad- 
ows of the forest. 


CHAPTER II. 

“Thou’rt passing from the lake’s green side, 

And the hunter’s hearth away ; 

For the time of flowers, for the summer’s pride, 

Daughter ! thou canst not stay.” — Records of Woman. 

Our two adventurers had not far to go. Hurry knew 
the direction, as soon as he had found the open spot and 
the spring, and he now led on with the confident step of a 
man assured of his object. The forest was dark, as a 
matter of course, but it was no longer obstructed by un- 
der-brush, and the footing was firm and dry. After pro- 
ceeding near a mile, March stopped and began to cast 
about him with an inquiring look, examining the different 
objects with care, and occasionally turning his eyes on 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


le trunks of the fallen trees, with which the ground was 
well sprinkled, as is usually the case in an American wood, 
especially in those parts of the country where timber has 
not yet become valuable. 

“ must be the place, Deerslayer,” March at length 
observed ; “ here is a beech by the side of a hemlock, with 
three pines at hand, and yonder is a white birch with a 
broken top ; and yet I see no rock, nor any of the branches 
bent down as I told you would be the case.” 

“ Broken branches are onskilful landmarks, as the least 
exper’enced know that branches don’t often break of 
themselves,” returned the other ; and they also lead to 
suspicion and discoveries. The Delawares never trust to 
broken branches, unless it is in friendly times, and on 
an open trail. As for the beeches, and pines, and hem- 
locks, why, they are to be seen on all sides of us, not only 
by twos and threes, but by forties, and fifties, and hun- 
dreds.” 

‘‘Very true, Deerslayer, but you never calculate on po- 
sition. Here is a beech and a hemlock •” 

“Yes, and there is another beech and a hemlock, as lov- 
ing as two brothers, or, for that matter, more loving than 
some brothers ; and yonder are others, for neither tree is 
a rarity in these woods. I fear me, Hurry, you are better 
at trapping beaver and shooting bears than at leading on 
a blindish sort of trail. Ha ! there’s what you wish to find, 
a’ter all ! ” 

“Now, Deerslayer, this is one of your Delaware preten- 
sions, for, hang me if I see anything but these trees, which 
do seem to start up around us, in a most onaccountable 
and perplexing manner.” 

“ Look this-a-way. Hurry — here, in a line with the black 
oak — don’t you see the crooked sapling that is hooked up 
in the branches of the basswood, near it ? Now that sap- 
ling was once snow-ridden, and got the bend by its weight ; 
but it never straightened itself, and fastened itself in 
among the basswood branches in the way you see. The 
hand of man did that act of kindness for it.” 

“That hand was mine !” exclaimed Hurry; “ I found 
the slender young thing bent to the airth, like an unfortu- 
nate creatur’ borne dovVn by misfortune, and stuck it up 
where you see it. After all, Deerslayer, I must allow, 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


27 


you’re getting to have an oncommon good eye for the 
woods ! ” 

“ ’Tis improving, Hurry — ’tis improving, I will acknowl- 
edge ; but ’tis still only a child’s eye, compared to some 
I know. There’s Tamenund, now, though a man so old 
that few remember when he was in his prime, Tamenund 
lets nothing escape his look, which is more like the scent 
of a hound than the sight of an eye. Then Uncas,* the 
father of Chingachgook, and the lawful chief of the Mo- 
hicans, is another that it is almost hopeless to pass unseen. 
Tm improving, I will allow — I’m improving, but far from 
being perfect as yet.” 

“And who is this Chingachgook, of whom you talk so 
much, Deerslayer?” asked Hurry, as he moved off in the 
direction of the righted sapling ; “a loping red-skin, at the 
best, I make no question.” 

“ Not so. Hurry, but the best of loping red-skins, as 
you call ’em. If he had his rights, he would be a great 
chief ; but, as it is, he is only a brave and just-minded 
Delaware, respected, and even obeyed in some things, ’tis 
true, but of a fallen race, and belonging to a fallen people. 
Ah ! Harry March, ’twould warm the heart within you to 
sit in their lodges of a winter’s night, and listen to the 
traditions of the ancient greatness and power of the Mo- 
hicans ! ” 

“ Harkee, fri’nd Nathaniel,” said Hurry, stopping sho. ! 
to face his companion, in order that his words might carry 
greater weight with them ; “ if a man believed all that 
other people choose to say in their own favor, he might 
get an oversized opinion of them, and an undersized 
opinion of himself. These red-skins are notable boasters, 
and I set down more than half of their traditions as pure 
talk.” 

“ There is truth in what you say. Hurry, I’ll not deny it, 
for I’ve seen it, and believe it. They do boast, but then 
that is a gift from Natur’ ; and it’s sinful to withstand 
nat’ral gifts. See ; this is the spot you come to find ! ” 

This remark cut short the discourse, and both the men 
now gave all their attention to the object immediately be- 

* Lest the similarity of the names should produce confusion, it may be 
well to say that the Uncas here mentioned is. the grandfather of him who 
plays so conspicuous a part in The Last of the Mohicans. 




THE DEERSLAYER. 


fore them. Deerslayer pointed out to his companion the 
trunk of a huge linden, or basswood, as it is termed in the 
language of the country, which had filled its time, and 
fallen by its own weight. This tree, like so many millions 
of its brethren, lay where it had fallen, and was mouldering 
under the slow but certain influence of the seasons. The 
decay, however, had attacked its centre, even while it 
stood erect in the pride of vegetation, hollowing out its 
heart, as disease sometimes destroys the vitals of animal 
life, even while a fair exterior is presented to the ob- 
server. As the trunk lay stretched for near a hundred 
feet along the earth, the quick eye of the hunter detected 
this peculiarity, and from this and other circumstances he 
knew it to be the tree of which March was in search. 

“Ay, here we have what we want,” cried Hurry, looking 
in at the larger end of the linden ; “everything is as snug as 
if it had been left in an old woman’s cupboard. Come, lend 
me a hand, Deerslayer, and we’ll be afloat in half an hour.” 

At this call the hunter joined his companion, and the 
two went to work deliberately and regularly, like men ac- 
customed to the sort of thing in which they were em- 
ployed. In the first place, Hurry removed some pieces of 
bark that lay before the large opening in the tree, and 
which the other declared to be disposed in a way that 
would have been more likely to attract attention than to 
conceal the cover, had any straggler passed that way. 
The two then drew out a bark canoe, containing its seats, 
paddles, and other appliances, even to fishing lines and 
rods. This vessel was by no means small ; but such was 
its comparative lightness, and so gigantic was the strength 
of Hurry, that the latter shouldered it with seeming ease, 
declining all assistance, even in the act of raising it to the 
awkward position in which he was obliged to hold it. 

“ Lead ahead, Deerslayer,” said March, “and open the 
bushes ; the rest Tcan do for myself.” 

The other obeyed, and the men left the spot, Deerslayer 
clearing the way for his companion, and inclining to the 
right or to the left, as the latter directed. In about ten 
minutes they both broke suddenly into the brilliant light 
of the sun, on a low, gravelly point that was washed by 
water on quite half its outline. 

An exclamation of surprise broke from the lips of Deer- 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


29 


slayer, an exclamation that was low and guardedly made, 
however, for his habits were much more thoughtful and 
regulated than those of the reckless Hurry, when, on 
reaching the margin of the lake, he beheld the view that 
unexpectedly met his gaze. It was, in truth, sufficiently 
striking to merit a brief description. On a level with a 
point lay a broad sheet of water, so placid and limpid, that 
it resembled a bed of the pure mountain atmosphere, com- 
pressed into a setting of hills and woods. Its length was 
about three leagues, while its breadth was irregular, ex- 
panding to half a league, or even more, opposite to the 
point, and contracting to less than half that distance more 
to the southward. Of course its margin was irregular, 
being indented by bays, and broken by many projecting 
low points. At its northern or nearest end it was bounded 
by an isolated mountain, lower land falling off east and 
west, gracefully relieving the sweep of the outline. Still 
the character of the country was mountainous ; high hills 
or low mountains rising abruptly from the water, on quite 
nine-tenths of its circuit. The exceptions, indeed, only 
serv^ed a little to vary the scene ; and even beyond the 
parts of the shore that Avere comparatively low, the back- 
ground was high, though more distant. 

But the most striking peculiarities of this scene were its 
solemn solitude and sweet repose. On all sides, wherever 
the eye turned, nothing met it but the mirror-like surface 
of the lake, the placid view of heaven, and the dense set- 
ting of woods. So rich and fleecy were the outlines of the 
forest that scarce an opening could be seen — the whole 
visible earth, from the rounded mountain-top to the 
water’s edge, presenting one unvaried hue of unbroken ver- 
dure. As if vegetation were not satisfied with a triumph 
so complete, the trees overhung the lake itself, shooting 
out toward the light ; and there were miles along its east- 
ern shore where a boat might have pulled beneath the 
branches of dark, Rembrandt-looking hemlocks, “quiver- 
ing aspens,” and melancholy pines. In a word, the hand 
of man had never yet defaced or deformed any part of this 
native scene, which lay bathed in the sunlight, a glorious 
picture of affluent forest grandeur, softened by the balmi- 
ness of June, and relieved by the beautiful variety afforded 
by the presence of so broad an expanse of water. 


30 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


“ This is grand ! — ’tis solemn ! — ’tis an edication of itself 
to look upon ! ” exclaimed Deerslayer, as he stood leaning 
on his rifle and gazing to the right and left, north and 
south, above and beneath, in whichever direction his eye 
could wander ; “ not a tree disturbed even by the red-skin 
hand, as I can discover ; but everything left in the order- 
ing of the Lord, to live and die according to His own de- 
signs and laws ! Hurry, your Judith ought to be a moral 
and well-disposed young woman if she has passed half the 
time you mention in the centre of a spot so favored.” 

“ That’s a naked truth ; and yet the gal has the vaga- 
ries. All her time has not been passed here, howsever, 
old Tom having the custom, afore I knowed him, of going 
to spend the winters in the neighborhood of the settlers, 
or under the guns of the forts. No, no ; Jude has caught 
more than is for her good from the settlers, and especially 
from the gallantifying officers.” 

“ If she has — if she has, Huny, this is a school to set 
her mind right ag’in. But what is this I see off here, 
abreast of us, tliat seems too small for an island, and too 
large for a boat, though it stands in the midst of the water ?” 

“ Why, that is what these gallanting gentry from the 
forts call Muskrat Castle ; and old Tom himself will grin 
at the name, though it bears so hard on his own natur’ 
and character. ’Tis the stationary house, there being two ; 
this, which never moves, and the other, that floats, being 
sometimes in one part of the lake and sometimes in an- 
other. The last goes by the name of the ark, though what 
may be the meaning of the word is more than I can tell 
you.” 

“ It must come from the missionaries. Hurry, whom I 
have heard speak and read of such a thing. They say that 
the ’arth was once covered with water, and that Noah, 
with his children, was saved from drowning by building a 
vessel called an ark, in which he embarked in season. 
Some of the Delawares believe this tradition, and some 
deny it ; but it behooves you and me, as white men born, 
to put our faith in its truth. Do you see anything of this 
ark ? ” . 

.“ ’Tis down south, no doubt, or anchored in some of the 
bays. But the canoe is ready, and fifteen minutes will 
carry two such paddles as your’n and mine to the castle.” 


THR 'DEERSLA YER. 


31 


At this suggestion, Deerslayer helped his companion to 
place the different articles in the canoe, which was already 
afloat. This was no sooner done than the two frontier-men 
embarked, and, by a vigorous push, sent the light bark 
some eight or ten rods from the shore. Hurry now ‘took 
the seat in the stern, while Deerslayer placed himself for- 
ward, and, by leisurely but steady strokes of the paddles, 
the canoe glided across the placid sheet toward the extra- 
ordinary-looking structure that the former had styled 
Muskrat Castle. Several timea the men ceased paddling 
and looked about them at the scene, as new glimpses 
opened from behind points, enabling them to see farther 
down the lake, or to get’ broader views of the wooded 
mountains. The*only changes, however, were in the new 
forms of the hills, the varying curvature of the bays, and 
the wider reaches of the valley south ; the whole earth, ap- 
parently, being clothed in a gala-dress of leaves. 

“ This is a sight to warm the heart ! ” exclaimed Deer- 
slayer, when they had thus stopped for the fourth or fifth 
time ; “ the lake seems made to let us get an insight into 
the noble forests ; and land and water, alike, stand in the 
beauty of God’s providence ! Do you say. Hurry, that 
there is no man who calls himself lawful owner of all these 
glories ? ” 

“ None but the king, lad. He may pretend to some 
right of that natur’, but he is so far away that his claim 
will never trouble old Tom Hutter, who has got possession, 
and is like to keep it as long as his life lasts. Tom is no 
squatter, not being on land. I call him a floater.” 

“I invy that man ! I know it’s wrong, and I strive ag’in 
the feelin,’ but I invy that man ! Don’t think. Hurry, that 
I’m consarting any plan to put myself in his moccasins, 
for such a thought doesn’t harbor in my mind ; but I can’t 
help a little invy. ’Tis a nat’ral feelin’, and the best of 
us are but nat’ral a’ter all, and give way to such feelin’s at 
times.” 

“ You’ve only to marry Hetty to inherit half the estate,” 
cried Hurry, laughing; “the gal is comely! nay, if it 
wasn’t for her sister’s beauty, she would be even hand- 
some ; and then her wits are so small that you may ea^ ■ iy 
convart her into one of your own way of thinking in all 
things. Doy^;^^ take Hetty off the old fellow’s hands, and 


32 


THE DE EES t AYER. 


y’ll engage he’ll give you an interest in every deer you can 
knock over within five miles of his lake.” 

“ Does game abound ? ” suddenly demanded the other, 
who paid but little attention to March’s raillery. 

“ It has the country to itself. Scarce a trigger is pulled 
on it ; and as for the trappers, this is not a region they 
greatly frequent. I ought not to be so much here myself, 
but Jude pulls one way, while the beaver pulls another. 
More than a hundred Spanish dollars has that creatur’ 
cost me the two last seasons ; and yet I could not forego 
the wish to look upon her face once more.” 

“ Do the red men often visit this lake, Hurry ? ” con- 
tinued Deerslayer, pursuing hik own train of thought. 

“ Why, they come and go ; sometimes in parties, and 
sometimes singly. The country seems to belong to no 
native tribe in particular ; and so it has fallen into the 
hands of the Hutter tribe. The old man tells me that 
some sharp ones have been wheedling the Mohawks for 
an Indian deed, in order to get a title out of the colony ; 
but nothing has come of it, seeing that no one, heavy 
enough for such a trade, has yet meddled with the mat- 
ter. The hunters have a good life-lease, still, of this wil- 
derness.” 

“ So much the better — so much the better. Hurry. If 
I was King of England, the man that felled one of these 
trees without good occasion for the timber, should be ban- 
ished to a desarted and forlorn region, in which no four- 
footed animal ever trod. Right glad am I that Chingach- 
gook app’inted our meeting on this lake, for, hitherto, eye 
of mine never looked on such a glorious spectacle.” 

“That’s because you’ve kept so much among the Dela- 
wares, in whose country there are no lakes. Now, farther 
north, and farther west, these bits of water abound ; and 
you’re young, and may yet live to see ’em. But though 
there be other lakes, Deerslayer, there’s no other Judith 
Hutter ! ” 

At this remark his companion smiled, and then he 
dropped his paddle into the water, as if in consideration 
of- a lover’s haste. Both now pulled vigorously until they 
got within a hundred yards of the “ castle,” as Hurry fa- 
miliarly called the house of Hutter, when they again 
ceased paddling; the admirer of Judith restrained his im- 


THE 'DEERSLAYER. 


33 


patience the more readily, as he perceived that the build- 
ing was untenanted at the moment. This new pause was 
to enable Deerslayer to survey the singular edifice, which 
was of construction so novel as to merit a particular des- 
cription. 

Muskrat Castle, as the house had been facetiously 
named by some waggish officer, stood in the open lake, at 
a distance of fully a quarter of . a mile from the nearest 
shore. On every other side the water extended much far- 
ther, the precise position being distant about two miles 
from the northern end of the sheet, and near, if not quite, 
a mile from its eastern shore. As there was not the snujll- 
est appearance of any islantl, but the house stood on piles, 
with the water llowing beneath it, and Deerslayer had al- 
ready discovered that the lake Avas of a great depth, he 
was fain to ask an explanation of this singular circum- 
stance. Hurry solved the difficulty by telling him that on 
this spot alone, a long, narrow shoal, which extended for 
a few hundred yards in a north and south direction, rose 
within six or eight feet of the surface of the lake, and that 
Mutter had driven piles into it, and placed his habitation 
on them, for the purpose of security. 

“ The old fellow was burnt out three times, atween the 
Indians and the hunters ; and in one affray witli the red- 
skins he lost his only son, since wliich time he has taken 
to the water for safety. No one can attack him here with- 
out coming in a boat, and the plunder and scalps would 
scarce be worth the trouble of digging out canoes. Then 
it®s by no means sartin which would whip in such a scrim- 
mage, for old Tom is well supplied with arms and ammu- 
nition, and the castle, as you may see, is a tight breast- 
work ag’in light shot.” 

Deerslayer had some theoretical knowledge of frontier 
warfare, though he had never yet been called on to raise 
his hand in anger against a fellow-creature. He saw that 
Hurry did not overrate the strength of this position in a 
military point of view, since it would not be easy to attack 
it without exposing the assailants to the fire of the besieged. 
A good deal of art had also been manifested in the dispo- 
sition of the timber of which the building was constructed, 
and which afforded a protection much greater than was 
usual to the ordinary log-cabins of the frontier. The sides 

3 


34 


THE DEER SLA YER. 


and ends were eomposed of the trunks of large pines, cut 
about nine feet long, and placed upright, instead of being 
laid horizontally, as was the practice of the country. These 
logs were squared on three sides, and had large tenons on 
each end. Massive sills were secured on the heads of the 
piles, with suitable grooves dug out of their upper surfaces, 
which had been squared for the purpose, and the lower 
tenons of the upright pieces were placed in those grooves, 
giving them a secure fastening below. Plates had been 
laid on the upper ends of the upright logs, and were kept 
in their places by a similar contrivance ; the several cor- 
ners of the structure being well fastened by scarfing and 
pinning the sills and plates. The floors were made of 
smaller logs, similarly squared, and the roof was composed 
of light poles, firmly united, and well covered with bark. 
The effect of this ingenious arrangement was to give its 
owner a house that could be approached only by water, 
the sides of which were composed of logs closely wedged 
together, which were two feet thick in their thinnest parts, 
and which could be separated only by a deliberate and la- 
borious use of human hands, or by the slow operation of 
time. The outer surface of the building was rude and un- 
even, the logs being of unequal sizes ; but the squared 
surfaces within gave both the sides and floor as uniform 
an appearance as was desired, either for use or show. The 
chimney was not the least singular portion of the castle, as 
Hurry made his companion observe, while he explained 
the process by which it had been made. The material was 
a stiff clay, properly worked, which had been put together 
in a mold of sticks, and suffered to harden, a foot or two 
at a time, commencing at the bottom. When the entire 
chimney had thus been raised, and had been properly 
bound in with outward props, a brisk fire was kindled, and 
kept going until it Avas burned to something like a brick- 
red. This had not been an easy operation, nor had it suc- 
ceeded entirely ; but, by dint of filling the cracks with fresh 
clay, a safe fire-place and chimney had been obtained in the 
end. This part of the work stood on the log-floor, secured 
beneath by an extra pile. There were a few other pecu- 
liarities about this dwelling, which will better appear in 
the course of the narrative. 

“Old Tom is full of contrivances/’ added Hurry, “and 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


35 


he set his heart on the success of his chimney, which threat- 
ened more than once to give out altogether ; but parse- 
verance will even overcome smoke ; and now he had a 
comfortable cabin of it, though it did promise, at one time, 
to be a chinky sort of a flue to carry flames and fire.” 

“You seem to know the whole history of thd” castle, Hur- 
ry, chimney and sides,” said Deerslayer, smiling ; “is love 
so overcoming that it causes a man to study the story of 
his sweetheart’s habitation ? ” 

“ Partly that, lad, and partly eyesight,” returned the 
good-natured giant, laughing; “there was -a large gang 
of us, in at the lake, the summer the old fellow built, and 
we helped him along with the job. I raised no small part 
of the weight of them uprights with my own shoulders, 
and the axes flew, I can inform you. Master Natt,y, while 
we were bee-ing it among the trees ashore. The old devil 
is no way stingy about the food, as we had often eat^at his^ 
hearth, we thought we would just house him comfortably, 
afore we went to Albany with our skins. Yes, many is 
the meal I’ve swallowed in Tom flutter’s cabins ; and 
Hetty, though so weak in the way of wits, has a wonderful 
particular way about a frying-pan or a gridiron ! ” 

While the parties were thus discussing, the canoe had 
been gradually drawing near to the “ castle,” and was now 
so close as to require but a single stroke of a paddle to 
reach tfle landing. This was at a floored platform in front 
of the entrance, and might have been some twenty feet 
square. 

“ Old Tom calls this sort of a wharf his door-yard,” ob- 
served Hurry, as he fastened the canoe, after he and his 
companion had left it ; and the gallants from the fort have 
named it the ‘ castle court,’ though what a ‘ court ’ can 
have to do here is more than I can tell you, seeing there 
is no law. ’Tis as I supposed ; not a soul within, but the 
whole family is off on a v’y’ge of discovery !” 

While Hurry was bustling about the “door-yard” ex- 
amining the fishing-spears, rods, nets, and other similar 
appliances of a frontier cabin, Deerslayer, whose manner 
was altogether more rebuked and quiet, entered the build- 
ing, with a curiosity that was not usually exhibited by one 
so long trained in Indian habits. The interior of the 
“ castle ” was as faultlessly neat as its exterior was novel. 


36 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


The entire space, some twenty feet by forty, was subdi- 
vided into several small sleeping-rooms ; the apartment 
into which he first entered, serving equally for the ordi- 
nary uses of its inmates, and for a kitchen. The furniture 
was of the strange mixture that is not uncommon to find 
in the remdtely situated log-tenements of the interior. 
Most of it was rude, and to the last degree rustic ; but 
there was a clock, with a handsome case of dark wood, in 
a corner, and two or three chairs, with a table and bureau, 
that had evidently come from some dwelling of more than 
usual pretension. The clock was industriously ticking, 
but its leaden-looking hands did no discredit to their dull 
aspect, for they pointed to the hour of eleven, though the 
sun plainly showed it was some time past the turn of the 
day. There was also a dark, massive chest. The kitchen 
' utensils were of the simplest kind, and far from numerous, 
^3iit every article was in its place, and showed the nicest 
care in its condition. 

After Deerslayer had cast a look about him in the outer 
room, he raised a wooden latch, and entered a narrow pas- 
sage that divided the inner end of the house into two equal 
parts. Frontier usages being no way scrupulous, and his 
curiosity being strongly excited, the young man now opened 
a door, and found himself in a bedroom. A single glance 
sufficed to show that the apartment belonged to females. 
'J'he bed was of the feathers of wild geese, and filled nearly 
to overllowing ; but it lay in a rude bunk, raised only a 
foot from the floor. On one side of it Avere arranged, on 
pegs, various dresses, of a quality much superior to what 
one would expect to meet in such a place, Avith ribbons 
and other similar articles to correspond. Pretty shoes, 
Avith handsome silver buckles, such as were then Avorn by 
females in easy circumstances, Avere not wanting ; and no 
less than six fans, of gay colors, Avere placed half open in a 
Avay to catch the eye by their conceits and hues. Even 
the pillow, on this side of the bed, Avas coA^ered Avith finer 
linen than its companion, and it AAms ornamented Avith a 
small ruffle. A cap, coquettishly decorated Avith ribbons, 
hung above it, and a pair of long gloves, such as Avere rarely 
used in those days by persons of the laboring classes, Avere 
pinned ostentatiously to it, as if Avith an intention to exhibit 
them there, if they could not be shoAAm on the OAvner s arms. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


■37 


All this Deerslayer saw, and noted with a degree of mi- 
nuteness that would have done credit to the habitual ob- 
servation of his friends the Delawares. Nor did he fail to 
perceive the distinction that existed between the appear- 
ances on the different sides of the bed, the head of which 
stood against the wall. On that opposite to the one just 
described, everything was homely and uninviting, except 
through its perfect neatness. The few garments that 
were hanging from the pegs were of the coarsest materials 
and of the commonest forms, while nothing seemed made 
for show. Of ribbons there was not one ; nor was tliere 
either cap or kerchief beyond those which Mutter’s- daugh- 
ters might be fairly entitled to wear. 

It was now several years since Deerslayer had been in a 
spot especially devoted to the uses of females of his own 
color and race. The sight brought back to his mind a 
rush of childish recollections ; and he lingered in the room 
with a tenderness of feeling to which he had long been a^ 
stranger. He bethought him of his mother, whose homely 
vestments he remembered to have seen hanging on pegs 
like those which he felt must belong to Hetty Hutter ; 
and he bethought himself of a sister, whose incipient and 
native taste for finery had exhibited itself somewhat in the 
manner of that of Judith, though necessarily in a less de- 
gree. These little resemblances opened a long-hidden 
vein of sensations, and, as he quitted the room, it was with 
a saddened mien. He looked no farther, but returned 
slowly and thoughtfully toward the ‘‘door-yard.” 

“ Old Tom has taken to a new calling, and has been 
trying his hand at the traps,” cried Flurry, who had been 
coolly examining the borderer’s implements ; “ if that is 
his humor, and you’re disposed to remain in these parts, 
we can make an ’oncommon comfortable season of it, for, 
while the old man and I out-knowledge the beaver, you 
can fish, and knock down the deer, to keep body and soul 
together. We aljyays give the poorest hunters half a 
share, but one as actyve and sartain as yourself might ex- 
pect a full one.” 

“ Thank ’ee. Flurry ; thank ’ee, with all my heart — but I 
do a little beavering for myself, as occasions offer. ’Tis 
true, the Delawares call me Deerslayer, but it’s not so 
much because I’m pretty fatal with the venison, as be- 


38 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


cause that while I kill so many bucks and does, Tve 
never yet taken the life of a fellow-creatur’. They say 
their traditions do not tell of another who had shed so 
much blood of animals that had not shed the blood of 
man.” 

“ I hope they don’t account you chicken-hearted, lad ? 
A faint-hearted man is like a no-tailed beaver.” 

“ I don’t believe. Hurry, that they account me as out-of- 
the-way timororfs, even though they may not account me 
as out-of-the-way brave. But I’m not quarrelsome, and 
that goes a great way toward keeping blood off the hands, 
among ‘the hunters and red-skins; and then, Harry March, 
it keeps blood off the conscience, too.” 

“ Well, for my part, I account game, a red-skin, and a 
Frenchman, as pretty much the same thing, though I’m 
as onquarrelsome a man, too, as there is in all the colonies. 

I despise a quarreller as I do a cur-dog, but one has no 
need to be over-scrupulous when it’s the right time to 
show the flint.” 

“ I look upon him as the most of a man who acts nearest 
the right. Hurry. But this is a glorious spot, and my eyes- 
never a-weary looking at it.” 

“ ’Tis your first acquaintance with a lake, and these 
ideas come over us all at such times. Lakes have a gen- 
eral character, as I say, being pretty much water and land, 
and points, and bays.” 

As this definition by no means met the feelings that 
were uppermost in the mind of the young hunter, he 
made no immediate answer, but stood gazing at the dark 
hills and the glassy water in silent enjoyment. 

“ Have the governor’s or the king’s people given this 
lake a name ? ” he suddenly asked, as if struck with a 
new^idea. “ If they’ve not begun to blaze their trees, and 
set up their compasses, and line off their maps, it’s likely 
they’ve not bethought them to disturb Natur’ with a 
name.” • 

They’ve not got to that yet, and the last time I went in 
with skins, one of the king’s surveyors was questioning me 
consarning all the region hereabouts. He had heard that 
there was a lake in this quarter, and had got some general 
notions about it, such as that there was water and hills, but 
how much of either he knowed no more than you know of 


39 


THE DEERSLAVER. 

the Mohawk tongue. I didn’t open the trap any wider 
than was necessary, giving him poor encouragement in 
the way of farms and clearings. In short, I left on his 
mind some such opinion of this country as a man gets of a 
spring of dirty water, with a path to it thafis'so muddy 
that one mires afore he sets out. He told me they hadn’t 
got the spot down yet on their maps, though I conclude 
that is a mistake, for he showed me his parchment, and 
there is a lake down on it where there is no lake, in fact, 
and which is about fifty miles from the place where it ought 
to be if they meant it for this. I don’t think my account 
will encourage him to mark down another, by way of im- 
provement.” 

Here Hurry laughed heartily, such tricks being particu- 
larly grateful to a set of men who dreaded the approaches 
of civilization as a curtailment of their own lawless empire. 
The egregious errors that existed in the maps of the day, 
all of which were made in Europe, was, moreover, a stand- 
ing topic of ridicule among them ; for if they had not 
science enough to make any better themselves, they had 
sufficient local information to detect the gross blunders 
contained in those that existed. Any one who will take 
the trouble to compare these unanswerable evidences of 
the topographical skill of our fathers a century since, with 
the more accurate sketches of our own time, will at once 
perceive that the men of the woods had a sufficient justifi- 
cation for all their criticism on this branch of the skill of 
the colonial governments, which did not at all hesitate to 
place a river or a lake a degree or two out of the way, even 
though they lay within a day’s march of the inhabited 
parts of the country. 

“I’m glad it has no name,” resumed Deerslayer, “or, at 
least, no pale-face name, for their christenings always fore- 
tell waste and destruction. No doubt, however, the" red- 
skins have their modes of knowing it, and the hunters and 
trappers, too ; they are likely to call the place by something 
reasonable and resembling.” 

“ As for the tribes, each has its own tongue, and its own 
way of calling things, and they treat this part of the world 
just as they treat all others. Among ourselves, we’ve got 
to calling the place the ‘ Glimmerglass,’ seeing that its 
whole basin is often fringed with pines, cast upward from 


40 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


its face, as if it would throw back the hills that hang over 
it.” 

“ There is an outlet, I know, for all lakes have outlets, 
and the rock at which I am to meet Chingachgook stands 
near an outlet. Has that no colony name, yet ? ” 

“ In that particular, they’ve got the advantage of us, 
having one end, and that the biggest, in their own keeping ; 
they’ve given it a name which has found its way up to its 
source, names ntit’rally working up-stream. No doubt, 
Deerslayer, you’ve seen the Susquehanna, down in the 
Delaware country ? ” 

“ That have I, and hunted along its banks a hundred 
times.” 

“ That and this are the same, in fact, and I suppose, the 
same is sound. I am glad they’ve been compelled to keep 
the red men’s name, for it would be too hard to rob them of 
both land and name ! ” 

Deerslayer made no answer ; but he stood leaning on 
his rifle, gazing at the view which so much delighted him. 
The reader is not to suppose, however, that it was the pic- 
turesque alone which so strongly attracted his attention. 
The spot was very lovely, of a truth, and it was then seen in 
one of its most favorable moments, the surface of the lake 
being as smooth as glass and as limpid as pure air, throwing 
back the mountains, clothed in dark pines, along the whole 
of its eastern boundary, the points thrusting forward their 
trees even to nearly horizontal lines, while the bays were seen 
glittering through an occasional arch beneath, left by a vault 
fretted* with branches and leaves. It was the air of deep 
repose — the solitude, that spoke of scenes and forests un- 
touched by the hands of man — the reign of Nature, in a 
word, that gave so much pure delight to one of his habits and 
turn of mind. Still, he felt, though it was unconsciously, like 
a poet also. If he found a pleasure in studying this large, 
and, to him, unusual opening into the mysteries and forms 
of the woods, as one is gratified in getting broader views 
of any subject that has long occupied his thoughts, he was 
not insensible to. the innate loveliness of such a landscape, 
either, but felt a portion of that soothing of the spirit which 
is a common attendant of a scene so thoroughly pervaded 
by the holy calm of Nature. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


41 


CHAPTER III. 

“Come, shall we go and kill us venison ? 

And yet it irks me, the poor dappled fools — 

Being native burghers of this desert city — 

Should, in their own confines, with forked heads 
Have their round haunches gored.” — Shakespeare. 

Hurry Harry thought more of the beauties of Judith 
Hutter than of those of the Glimmerglass and its accompany- 
ing scenery. As soon as he had taken a sufficiently intimate 
survey of Floating Tom’s implements, therefore, he sum- 
moned his companion to the canoe, that they might go 
down the lake in quest of the family. Previously to em- 
barking, however. Hurry carefully examined the whole of 
the northern end of the water with an indifferent ship’s 
glass, that formed a part of Hutter’s effects. In this scru- 
tiny, no part of the shore was overlooked ; the bays and 
points, in particular, being subjected to a closer inquiry 
than the rest of the wooded boundary. 

“ ’Tis as I thought,” said Hurry, laying aside the glass, 
“ the old fellow is drifting about the south end, this fine 
weather, and has left the castle to defend itself. Well, now 
we know that he is not up this-a-way, ’twill be but a small 
matter to paddle down, and hunt him up in his hiding- 
place.” 

Does Master Hutter think it necessary to burrow on 
this lake ? ” inquired Deerslayer, as he followed his com- 
panion into the canoe ; “to my eye, it is such a solitude as 
one might open his whole soul in, and fear no one to dis- 
arrange his thoughts or his worship.” 

“You forget your friends, the Mingoes, and all the 
French savages. Is there a spot on ’arth, Deerslayer, to 
which them disquiet rogues don’t go ? Where is the lake, 
or even the deer-lick, that the blackguards don’t find out ; 
and, having found out, don’t sooner or later discolor its 
water with blood ? ” 

“I hear no good character of them, sartainly, friend 
Hurry, though I’ve never been called on, as yet, to meet 
them, or any other mortal, on the war-path. I dare to say 
that such a lovely spot as this would not be likely to be 


42 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


overlooked by such plunderers ; for, though I’ve not been 
in the way of quarrelling with them tribes myself, the Del- 
awares give me such an a'ccounl of ’em that I’ve pretty 
muclr set ’em down, in my own mind, as thorough mis- 
creants.” 

“You may do that with a safe conscience, or, for that 
matter, any other savage you may happen to meet.” 

Here Deerslayer protested, and as they went paddling 
down the lake a hot discussion was maintained concerning 
the respective merits of the pale-faces and the red-skins. 
Hurry had all the prejudices and antipathies of a white 
hunter, who generally regards the Indian as a sort of 
natural competitor, and not unfrequently as a natural 
enemy. As a matter of course, he was loud, clamorous, 
dogmatical, and not very argumentative. Deerslayer, on 
the other hand, manifested a very different temper ; prov- 
ing, by the moderation of his language, the fairness of his 
views, and the simplicity of his distinctions, that he pos- 
sessed every disposition to hear reason, a strong, innate 
d<hsire to do justice, and an ingenuousness that was singu- 
larly indisposed to have recourse to sophisms to maintain 
an argument, or to defend a prejudice. Still, he was not 
altogether free from the influence of the latter feeling. 
This tyrant of the human mind, which rushes on its prey 
through a thousand avenues, almost as soon as men begin 
to think and feel, and which seldom relinquishes its iron 
sway until they cease to do either, had made some im- 
qjression on even the just propensities of this individual, 
who probably offered in these particulars a fair specimen 
of what absence from bad example, theAvant of temptation 
to go wrong, and native good feeling, can render youth. 

“You will allow, Deerslayer, that a Mingo is more than 
half devil,” cried Hurry, following up the discussion with 
an animation that touched closely on ferocity, “though 
you want to over-persuade me that the Delaware tribe is 
pretty much made up of angels. Now, I gainsay that pro- 
posal, consarning Avhite men, even. All white nien are 
not faultless, and therefore all Indians can't be faultless. 
And so your argument is out at the elbow in the start. 
But this is what I call reason : Here’s three colors on 
’arth ; white, black, and red. White is the highest color, 
and therefore the best man ; black comes next, and is put 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


43 


to live in the neighborhood of the white man, as tolerable, 
and fit to be made use of ; and red comes last, which shows 
that tliose that made ’em never expect an Indian to be ac- 
counted as more than half human.” 

“God made all three alike. Hurry.” 

“ Alike ! Do you call a nigger like a -white man, or me 
like an Indian ? ” 

“You go off at half cock, and don’t hear me out. God 
made us all, white, black, and red ; and, no doubt, had his 
own wise intentions in coloring us differently. Still, he 
made us, in the main, much the same in feelin’s ; though 
I’ll not deny that he gave each race its gifts. A white 
man’s gifts are Christianized, while a red-skin’s are more 
for the wilderness. Thus, it w’ould be a great offence for 
a white man to scalp the dead ; whereas it’s a signal vartue 
in an Indian. Then, ag’in, a white man cannot amboosh 
women and children in war, while a red-skin may. ’Tis 
cruel work. I’ll allow ; but for them it’s lawful work ; while 
for us it would be grievous work.” 

“That depends on your inimy. As for scalping, or even 
skinning a savage, I look upon them pretty much the 
same as cutting off the ears of wolves for the bounty, or 
stripping a bear of its hide. And then you’re out signifi- 
cantly, as to taking the poll of a red-skin in hand, seeing 
that the very colony has offered a bounty for the job ; all 
tlie same as it pays for wolves’ ears and crows’ heads.” 

“Ay, and a bad business it is, Hurry. Even the Indians 
themselves cry shame on it, seeing it’s ag’in a white man’s 
gifts. I do not pretend that all that white men do is prop- 
erly Christianized, and according to the lights given 
them, for then they would be what they ought to be ; which 
we know they are not ; but I will maintain that tradition, 
and use, and color, and laws, make such a difference in 
races as to amount to gifts. I do not deny that there are 
tribes among the Indians that are nat’rally perverse and 
wicked, as there are nations among the whites. Now, I 
account the Mingoes as belonging to the first, and the 
Frenchers, in the Canadas, to the last. In a state of law- 
ful warfare, such as we have lately got into, it is a duty to 
keep down all compassionate feelin’s, so far as life goes, 
ag’in either. ; but when it comes to scalps, it’s a very dif- 
ferent matter.” 


44 


THE DRERSLAYER. 


“Just hearken to reason, if you please, Deerslayer, and 
tell me if the colony can make an onlawful law ? Isn’t an 
on lawful law more ag’in natur’ than scalpin’ a savage ? A 
law can no more be onlawful, than truth ican be a lie.” 

“ That sounds reasonable ; but it has a most onreasonable 
bearing, Hurry. Laws don’t all come from the same 
quarter. God has given us his’n, and some come from the 
colony, and others come from the king and Parliament. 
When the colony’s laws, or even the king’s laws, run ag’in 
the laws of God, they get to be onlawful, and ought not 
to be obeyed. I hold to a white man’s respecting white 
laws, so long as they do not cross the track of a law cornin’ 
from a higher authority ; and for a red man to obey his 
own red-skin usages, under the same privilege. But ’tis 
useless talking, as each man will think for himself, and 
have his say agreeable to his thoughts. Let us keep a 
good lookout for your friend. Floating Tom, lest we pass 
him, as he lies hidden under this bushy shore.” 

Deerslayer had not named the borders of the lake 
amiss. Along their whole length the smaller trees over- 
hung the water, with their branches often dipping in the 
transparent element. The banks were steep, even from 
the narrow strand ; and, as vegetation invariably struggles 
toward the light, the effect was precisely that at which 
the lover of the picturesque would have aimed, had the 
ordering of this glorious setting of forest been submitted 
to his control. The points and bays, too, were sufficiently 
numerous to render the outline broken and diversified. 
As the canoe kept close along the western side of the lake, 
with a view, as Hurry had explained to his companion, of 
reconnoitring for enemies, before he trusted himself too 
openly in sight, the expectations of the two adventurers 
were here kept constantly on the stretch, as neither could 
foretell what the next turning of a point might reveal. 
Their progress was swift, the gigantic strength of Hurry 
enabling him to play with the light bark as if it had been 
a feather, while the skill of his companion almost equal- 
ized their usefulness, notwithstanding the disparity in 
natural means. 

Each time the canoe passed a point Hurry turned a look 
behind him, expecting to see the “ark” anchored or 
beached in the bay. He was fated to be disappointed, 


THE DRRRSLAYER. 


45 


however, and they had got within a mile of the southern 
end of the lake, or a distance of quite two leagues from 
the “ castle,” which was now hidden from view by half a 
dozen intervening projections of the land, when he sud- 
denly ceased paddling, as if uncertain in what direction 
next to steer. 

“ It is possible that the old chap has dropped into the 
river,” said Hurry, after looking carefully along the whole 
of the eastern shore, which was about a mile distant, and 
open to his scrutiny for more than half its length ; “for 
he has taken to trapping considerable, of late, and barring 
tiood-wood, he might drop down it a mile or so ; though he 
would hav’e a most scratching time in getting back ag’in ! ” 

“Where is this outlet?” asked Deerslayer ; “I see no 
opening in the banks or the trees, that looks as if it would 
let a river like tlie Susquehanna run through it.” 

“Ay, Deerslayer, rivers are like human mortals ; having 
small beginnings, and ending with broad shoulders and 
wide mouths^ You don’t see the outlet, because it passes 
atween high, steep banks ; and the pines, and hemlocks, 
and basswoods hang over it, as a roof hangs over a house. 
If old Tom is not in the ‘ Rat’s Cove,’ he must have bur- 
rowed in the river ; we’ll look for him first in the Cove, 
and then we’ll cross to the outlet.” 

As they proceeded. Hurry explained that there was a 
shallow bay, formed by a long, low point, that had got the 
name of the “ Rat’s Cove,” from the circumstance of its 
being a favorite haunt of the musk-rat ; and which offered 
so complete a cover for the “ark,” that its owner was fond 
of lying in it, whenever he found it convenient. 

“ As a man never knows who may be his visitors in this 
part of the country,” continued Hurry, “ it’s a great ad- 
vantage to get a good look at ’em before tliey come too 
near. Now it’s war, such caution is more than commonly 
useful, since a Canada man or a Mingo might get into his 
hut afore he invited ’em. But flutter is a first rate look- 
outer, and can pretty much scent danger, as hound scents 
the deer.” 

“ I should think the castle so open, that it would be sar- 
tain to draw inimies, if any happened to find the lake ; a 
thing onlikely enough, I will allow, as it’s off the trail of 
the forts and settlements.” 


46 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


“ Why, Deerslayer, I’ve got to believe that a man meets 
with inimies easier than he meets with fri’nds. It’s skear- 
ful to think for how many causes one gets to be your in- 
imy, and for how few your fri’nd. Some take up the 
hatchet because you don’t think just as they think ; other 
some, because you run ahead of ’em in the same ideas ; and 
I once know’d a vagabond that quarrelled with a fri’nd 
because he didn’t think him handsome. Now, you’re no 
monument in the way of beauty, yourself, Deerslayer, and 
yet you wouldn’t be so onreasonable as to become my in- 
imy for just saying so.” 

“ I’m as the Lord made me ; and I wish to be accounted 
no better nor any worse. Good looks I may not have ; 
that is to say, to a degree that the light-minded and vain 
crave ; but I hope I’m not altogether without some ricom- 
mend in the way of good conduct. There’s few nobler- 
looking men to be seen than yourself. Hurry ; and I know 
that I am not to expect any to turn their eyes on me, when 
such a one as you can be gazed on ; but I do not know' 
that a hunter is less expert with the rifle, or less to be re- 
lied on for food, because he doesn’t w'ish to stop at every 
shining spring he may meet to study his own countenance 
in the water.” 

Here Hurry burst into a fit of loud laughter ; for, w'hile 
he was too reckless to care much about his own manifest 
physical superiority, he was well aware of it, and, like most 
men who derive an advantage from the accidents of birth 
or nature, he was apt to think complacently on the, sub- 
ject, whenever it happened to cross his mind. 

“No, no, Deerslayer, you’re no beauty, as you will ow'n 
yourself, if you’ll look over the side of the canoe,” he 
cried; “Jude will say that to your face, if you start her, 
for a perter tongue isn’t to be found in any gal’s head, in 
or out of the settlements, if you provoke her to use it. 
My advice to you is, never to aggravate Judith ; though 
you may tell anything to Hetty, and she’ll take it as meek 
as a lamb. No, Jude will be just as like as not to tell you 
her opinion consarning your looks.” 

“And if she does. Hurry, she wdll tell me no more than 
you have said already ” 

“You’re not thick’ning up about a small remark, I hope, 
Deerslayer, when no harm is meant. You are not a beauty. 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


47 


as you must know, and why shouldn’t friends tell each 
.other these little trifles ? If you was handsome, or ever 
like to be. I’d be one of the first to tell you of it ; and that 
ought to content you. Now, if Jude was to tell me that 
I’m as ugly as a sinner. I’d take it as a sort of obligation, 
and try not to believe her.” 

“ It’s easy for them that Natur’ has favored, to jest 
about such matters. Hurry, though it is sometimes hard 
for others. I’ll not deny but I’ve had my cravings toward 
good looks ; yes, I have ; but then I’ve always been able 
to get them down by considering how many I’ve known 
with fair/ outsides, who have had nothing to boast of in- 
wardly. iril not deny, Hurry, that I ofte^ wish I’d been 
created more comely to the eye, and more like such a one 
as yourself, in them particulars ; but then I get the feelin’ 
under by remembering how much better off I am, in a great 
many respects, than some fellow-mortals. I might have 
been born lame, and onfit even for a squirrel-hunt; or 
blind, which would have made me a burden on myself as 
well as on my fri’nds ; or without hearing, which would 
have totally onqualified me for ever campaigning or 
scouting, which I look forward to as part of a man’s duty 
in troublesome times. Yes, yes ; it’s not pleasant, I will 
allow, to see them that’s more comely,*and more sought 
a’ter and honored than yourself ; but it may all be borne, 
if a man looks the evil in the face, and don’t mistake his 
gifts and obligations.’^ 

Hurr)', in the main,'^was a good-hearted as well as good- 
natured fellow ; and the self-abasement of his companion 
completely got the better of the passing feeling of per- 
sonal vanity. He regretted the allusion he had made to 
the other’s appearance, and endeavored to express as 
much, though it was done in the uncouth manner that be- 
longs to the habits and opinions of the frontier. 

“ I meant no harm, Deerslayer,” he answered, in a de- 
precating manner, “ and hope you’ll forget what I’ve said. 
If you’re not downright handsome, you’ve a sartin look that 
says, plainer than any words, that all’s right within. Then 
you set no valie by looks, and will the sooner forgive any lit- 
tle slight to your appearance. I will not say that Jude will 
greatly admire you, for that might raise hopes that would 
only breed disapp’intment ; but there’s Fletty, now, would 


48 , THE DEERSLAYER. 

be just as like to find satisfaction in looking tYl you^ as in 
looking at any other man. Then you’re altogether too 
grave and considerate-like to care much about Judith ; for, 
though the gal is on common, she is so general in lier ad- 
miration, that a man need not be exalted because she 
liappens to smile. I sometimes think the hussy loves 
herself better than she does anything else breathin’ ! ” 

“If she did. Hurry, she’d do no more, I’m afeard, than 
most queens on their thrones, and ladies in the towns,” 
answered Deerslayer, smiling, and turning back toward 
his companion with every trace of feeling banished from 
his honest-looking and frank countenance. “ I never yet 
know’d even a Jgelaware of whom you might not say that 
much. But here is the end of the long p’int you men- 
tioned, and the ‘ Rat’s Cove ’ can’t be far off.” 

This point, instead of thrusting itself forward like all 
the others, ran in a line with the main shore of the lake, 
which here swept within it, in a deep and retired bay, cir- 
cling round south again, at the distance of a quarter of a 
mile, and crossed the valley, forming the southern termi- 
nation of the water. In this bay Hurry felt almost certain 
of finding the ark, since, anchored behind the trees that 
covered the narrow strip of the point, it might liave lain 
concealed from piiying eyes an entire summer. So com- 
plete, indeed, was the cover in this spot, thht a boat hauled 
close to the beach, within the point, and near the bottom 
of the bay, could by possibility be seen from only one di- 
rection ; and that was from a densely wooded shore within 
the sweep of the water, where strangers would be little apt 
to go. 

“ We shall soon see the ark,” said Hurry, as the canoe 
glided round the extremity of the point, where the water 
was so deep as actually to appear black ; “ he loves to bur- 
row up among the rushes, and we shall be in his nest in 
five minutes, although the old fellow may be off among 
the traps himself.” 

March proved a false prophet. The canoe completely 
doubled the point, so as to enable the two travellers to 
command a view of the whole cove or bay, for it was more 
properly the last, and no object, but those that Nature had 
placed there, became visible. The placid water swept 
round in a graceful curvej the rushes bent gently toward 


THE DRERSLAVER, 


49 


the surface, and the trees overhung it as usual ; but all lay 
in the sootliing and sublime solitude of a wilderness. The 
scene was such as a poet or an artist would have delighted 
in, but it had no charm for Hurry Harry, who was burning 
.with impatitince to get a sight of the light-minded beauty. 

The motion of the canoe had been attended with little 
or no noise, the frontier-men habitually getting accustomed 
to caution in most of their movements, and it now lay on 
the glassy water appearing to float in air, partaking of the 
breathing stillness that seemed to pervade the entire scene. 
At this instant a dry stick was heard cracking on the nar- 
row strip of land that concealed the bay from tlie open 
lake. Both the adventurers started, and each extended 
a hand toward his rifle, tlie weapon never being out of 
reach of the arm. 

“ ’Twas too heavy for any light crcatur’,” whispered 
Hurry, “ and it sounded like the tread of a man ! ” 

‘‘ Not so — not so,” returned Deerslayer ; “’twas, as you 
say, too heavy for one, but it was too light for the other. 
Put your paddle in the water, and send the canoe in to tliat 
log ; I’ll land, and cut off the creatur’s retreat up the p’int, 
be it a INIingo or be it only a musk-rat.” 

As Hurry complied, Deerslayer was soon on the shore, 
advancing into the thicket with a moccasined foot, and a 
caution that prevented the least noise. In a minute he 
was in the centre of the narrow strip of land, and moving 
slowly down toward its end, the buslies rendering extreme 
v/atchfulness necessary. Just as he reached the centre of 
the thicket, the dry twigs cracked again, and the noise was 
repeated at short intervals, as if some creature having life 
walked slowly toward the point. Hurry heard these 
sounds also, and, pushing the canoe off into the bay, lie 
seized his rifle to watch the result. A breathless minute 
succeeded, after which a noble buck walked out of the 
thicket, proceeded with a stately step to the sandy ex- 
tremity of the point, and began to slake his thirst from the 
water of the lake. Hurry hesitated an instant ; then, rais- 
ing his rifle hastily to his shoulder, he took sight and fired. 
The effect of the sudden interruption of the solemn still- 
ness of such a scene was not its least striking pecidiarity. 
The report of the weapon had the usual sharp, short sound 
of the rifle ; but when a few moments of silence had sue- 
4 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


SO 

ceeded the sudden crack, during which the noise was float- 
ing in the air across the water, it reached the rocks of the 
opposite mountain, where the vibrations accumulated, 
and were rolled from cavity to cavity for miles along the 
hills, seeming to awaken the sleeping thunders of the 
woods. The buck merely shook his head at the report of 
the rifle and the whistling of the bullet, for never before 
had he come in contact with a man ; but the echoes of the 
hills awakened his distrust, and, leaping forward, with his 
four legs drawn under his body, he fell at once into deep 
water, and began to swim toward the foot of the lake. Hurry 
shouted and dashed forward in chase, and for one or two 
imnutes the water foamed around the pursuer and the 
pursued. The former was dashing past the point, when 
Deerslayer appeared on the sand, and signed to him to 
return. 

“ Twas inconsiderate to pull a trigger afore we had re- 
onn’itred the shore, and made sartin that no inimies har- 
bored near it,‘’ said the latter, as his companion slowly 
and reluctantly complied. “This much I have I’arned 
from the Delawares, in the way of schooling and tra- 
ditions, even though Tve never yet been on a war-path. 
And moreover, venison can hardly be called in season 
now, and we do not want for food. They call me Deer- 
slayer, I’ll own ; and perhaps I desarve the name, in the 
way of understanding the creatur’s habits, as well as sar- 
tainty in the aim ; but they can’t accuse me of killing an 
animal when there is no occasion for the meat or the skin. 
I may be a slayer, it’s true, but I’m no slaughterer.” 

“ ’Twas an awful mistake to miss that buck!” exclaimed 
Hurry, doffing his cap and running his fingers through his 
handsome but matted curls, as if he would loosen his tan- 
gled ideas by this process ; “ I’ve not done so onhandy a 
thing since I was fifteen.” 

“ Never lament it ; the creatur’s death could have done 
neither of us any good, and might have done us harm. 
Them echoes are more awful in my ears than your mis- 
take, Hurry, for they sound like the voice of Natur’ call- 
ing out ag’in a wasteful and onthinking action.” 

“ You’ll hear plenty of such calls, if you tarry long in 
this quarter of the world, lad,” returned the other, laugh- 
ing. “ The echoes repeat pretty much all that is said oi 


THE DEERSLAYER. ' 51 

done on the Glimmerglass, in this calm summer weather. 

If a paddle falls, you hear of it sometimes ag’in and ag’in, 
as if the hills were mocking your clumsiness ; and a laugh 
or a whistle comes out of them pines, when they’re in the 
humor to speak, in a way to make you believe they can 
rally convarse.” 

“ So much the more reason for being prudent and 
silent. I do not think the inimy can have found their 
Vay into these hills yet, for I don’t know what they are to 
gain by it ; but all the Delawares tell me that as courage 
is a warrior’s first vartue, so is prudence his second. One 
such call, from the mountains, is enough to let a whole 
tribe into the secret of our arrival.” 

“ If it does no other good, it will warn old Tom to put 
the pot over, and let him know visitors are at hand. 
Come, lad ; get into the canoe, and we will hunt the ark 
up while there is yet day.” 

Deerslayer complied, and the canoe left the spot. Its 
head was turned diagonally across the lake, pointing 
toward the southeastern curvature of the sheet. In that di- 
rection, the distance to the shore, or to the termination of 
the lake, on the course the two were now steering, was not 
quite a mile, and their progress being always swift, it was fast 
lessening under the skilful but easy sweeps of the paddles. 
When about half-way across, a slight noise drew the eyes 
of the men toward the nearest land, and they saw that the 
buck was just emerging from the lake and wading toward 
the beach. In a minute the noble animal shook the water • 
from his flanks, gazed upward at the covering of trees, 
and, bounding against the bank, plunged into the forest. 

“ That creatur’ goes olf with gratitude in his heart,’” 
said Deerslayer, “for Natur’ tells him he has escaped a 
great danger. You ought to have some of the same feel- 
in’s, Hurry, to think your eye wasn’t truer — that your 
hand was unsteady when no good could come of a shot 
that was intended unmeaningly, rather than in reason.” 

“ I deny the eye and the hand,” cried March, with some 
heat. “ You’ve got a little character down among the 
Delawares, there, for quickness and sartainty at a deer, 
but I should like to see you behind one of them pines, 
and a full-painted Mingo behind another, each with a 
cocked rifle, and a-striving for the chance ! Them’s the 


52 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


situations, Nathaniel, to try the sight and the hand, for 
they begin witli trying the narves. I never look upon 
killing a creatur’ as an explite, but killing a savage is. 
•Tlie time will come to try your hand now we’ve got to 
blows ag’in, and we shall soon know what a ven‘’son repu- 
tation can do in the field. I deny that either hand or eye 
was onsteady ; it was all a miscalculation of the buck, 
which stood still when he ought to have kept in motion, 
and so I shot ahead of him.” 

“ tiave it your own way. Hurry ; all that I contend for is 
that it’s lucky. I dare say I shall not pull upon a human 
mortal as steadily or with as light a heart as I pull upon a 
deer.” 

“Who’s talking of mortals or of human beings at all, 
Deerslayer? I put the matter to you on the supposition 
of an Injin. I dare say any man would Iiave his feelin’s 
when it got to be life or deatli ag’in another human mor- 
tal, but there would be no such scruples in regard to an 
Injin, nothing but the chance of his hitting you, or the 
chance of you hitting him.” 

‘H look upon the red men to be quite as human as we 
ourselves, Hurry. They have their gifts and their religion, 
it’s true ; but that makes no difference in the end, when 
each will be judged according to his deeds, and not accord- 
ing to his skin.” 

“ That’s downright missionary, and will find little favor 
in this part of the country, where the Moravians don’t con- 
gregate. Now, skin makes the man. This is reason, else 
how arc people to judge of each otlier ? The skin is put 
on over all in order that when a creatur’, or a mortal is fairly 
seen, you may know at once what to make of him. You 
know a bear from a hog by his skin, and a gray squirrel 
from a black.” 

“ True, Hurry,” said the other, looking back and smil- 
ing ; “ nevertheless they are both squirrels.” 

Who denies it ? But you’ll not say that a red man and 
a white man are both Injins?” 

“ No ; but I do say they are both men. Men of different 
races and colors, and having different gifts and traditions, 
but, in the main, with the same natur’. Both have souls ; 
and both will be held accountable for their deeds in tliis 
life.” 


THE DEEKSLA YER. 


53 


Hurry was one of those theorists who believed in the* in- 
feriority of all the human race that was not white. His 
notions on the subject were not very clear, nor were his 
definitions at all well settled ; but his opinions were none 
the less dogmatical or fierce. His conscience accused him 
of sundry lawless acts against the Indians, and he had 
found it an exceedingly easy mode of quieting it by put- 
ting the whole family of red men, incontinently, without 
the category of human rights. Nothing angered him 
sooner than to deny his proposition, more especially if the 
denial were accompanied by a show of plausible argu- 
ment ; and he did not listen to his companion’s remarks 
with much composure of either manner or feeling. 

‘‘You’re a boy, Deerslayer, misled and misconsaited by 
Delaware arts and missionary ignorance ! ” he exclaimed 
with his usual indifference to the forms of speech when ex- 
cited. “ You may account yourself as a red-skin’s brother, 
but / hold ’em all to be animals ; with nothing human 
about ’em but cunning. That they have. I’ll allow ; but 
so has a fox or even a bear. I’m older than you, and have 
lived longer in the woods — or, for that matter, have lived 
always there, and am not to be told what an Injin is or 
what he is not. If you wish to be considered a savage, 
you’ve only to say so, and I’ll name you as such to Judith 
and the old man, and then we’ll see how you’ll like your 
welcome.” 

Here Hurry’s imagination did his temper some service, 
since, by conjuring up the reception his semi-aquatic ac- 
quaintance would be likely to bestow on one thus intro- 
duced, he burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Deerslayer 
too well knew the uselessness of attempting to convince 
such a being of anything against his prejudices, to feel a 
desire to undertake the task ; and he was not sorry that, 
the approach of the canoe to the southeastern curve of the 
lake gave a new direction to his ideas. They were now, 
indeed, quite near the place that March had pointed out 
for the position of the outlet, and both began to look for 
it with a curiosity that was increased by the expectation 
of finding the ark. 

It may strike the reader as a little singular, that the 
place where a stream -, of any size passed through banks 
that had an elevation of some twenty, feet, should be a 


54 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


matter of doubt with men who could not have been more 
than two hundred yards distant from the precise spot. It 
will be recollected, however, that the trees and bushes 
here, as elsewhere, fairly overhung the water, making 
such a fringe to the lake as to conceal any little variations 
from its general outline. 

“I’ve not been down at this end of the lake these two 
summery” said Hurry, standing up in the canoe, the 
better jtc^ook»about him. “ Ay, there’s the rock, showing 
its chin''^ove the water, and I know the river begins in its 
neighborhood.” 

The men now plied the paddles again, and they were 
presently within a few yards of the rock, floating toward 
it, though their efforts were suspended. This rock was 
not large, being merely some five or six feet high, only 
half of which elevation rose above the lake. The inces- 
sant washing of the waters for centuries had so rounded 
the summit that it resembled a large beehive in shape, its 
form being more than usually regular and even. Hurry 
remarked, as they floated slowly past, that this rock was 
well known to all the Indians in that part of the country, 
and that they were in the practice of using it as a mark to 
designate the place of meeting when separated by their 
hunts and marches. 

“And here is the river, Deerslayer,*’ he continued, 
“though so shut in by trees and bushes as to look more 
like an and-bush than the outlet of such a sheet as the 
Glimmerglass.” 

Hurry had not badly described the place, which did 
truly seem to be a stream lying in ambush. The high 
banks might have been a hundred feet asunder; but on 
the western side a small bit of low land extended so far 
^forward as to diminish the breadth of the stream to half 
that width. As the bushes hung in the water beneath, 
and pines that had the stature of chur-ch-steeples rose in 
tall columns above, all inclining toward the light until 
their branches intermingled, the eye, at a little distance, 
could not easily detect any opening in the shore to mark 
the egress of the water. In the forest above no traces of 
this outlet were to be seen from the lake, the whole pre- 
senting the same connected and seemingly interminable 
carpet of leaves. As the canoe slowly advanced, sucked 


THE DEERS LAVER. 


55 


in by the current, it entered beneath an arch of trees, 
through which the light from the heavens struggled by 
casual openings, faintly relieving the gloom beneath. 

“ This is a nat’ral and-bush,” .half whispered Hurry, as 
if he felt that the place was devoted to secrecy and watch- 
fulness ; “depend on it, old Tom has burrowed with the' 
ark somewhere in this quarter. We will drop down with 
the current a short distance, and ferret him out.” 

“ This seems no place for a vessel of any sii^e,”ireturned 
the other ; “ it appears to me that we shall have hardly 
room enough for the canoe.” 

Hurry laughed at the suggestion, and, as it soon ap- 
peared, with reason ; for the fringe of bushes immediately 
on the shore of the lake was no sooner passed than the ad- 
venturers found themselves in a narrow stream, of a 
sufficient depth of limpid water, with a strong current, 
and a canopy of leaves upheld by arches composed of the 
limbs of hoary trees. Bushes lined the shores, as usual, 
but they left sufficient space between them to admit the 
passage of anything that did not exceed twenty feet in 
width, and to allow of a perspective ahead of eight or ten 
times that distance. 

Neither of our two adventurers used his paddle, except 
to keep the light bark in the centre of the current, but 
both watched each turning of the stream, of which there 
\Yere two or three within the first hundred yards, with 
jealous vigilance. Turn after turn however was passed, 
and the canoe had dropped down with the current some 
little distance, when Hurry caught a bush, and arrested 
its movement, so suddenly and silently, as to denote some 
unusual motive for the act. Deerslayer laid his hand on 
the stock of his rifle, as soon as he noted this proceed- 
ing; but it was quite as much with a hunter’s habit as from 
any feeling of alarm. 

“ There the old fellow is ! ” whispered Hurry,.pointing 
with a finger, and laughing heartily, though he carefully 
avoided making a noise, “ratting it away, just as I sup- 
posed ; up to his knees in the mud and water, looking to 
the traps and the bait. But, for the life of me, I can see 
nothing of the ark'; though I’ll bet every skin I take this sea- 
son, Jude isn’t trusting her pretty little feet in the neigh- 
borhood of that black mud. The gal’s more likely to be 


$6 


THE DEKRSLAYRR. ' 


braiding her hair by the side of some spring, where she can 
see her qwn good looks, and collect scornful feelings ag’in 
us men.” 

“You over-judge young women — yes, you do, Hurry — 
who as often bethink them of their failings as they do of 
their perfections. I dare to say this Judith, now, is no such 
admirer of herself, and no such scorner of our sex, as you 
seem to think ; and that she is quite as likely to be sarving 
her father in the house, wherever that may be, as he is to 
be sarving her among the traps.” 

“ It’s a pleasure to hear truth from a man’s tongue, if it 
be only once in a girl’s life,” cried a pleasant, rich, and yet 
soft female voice, so near the canoe as to make both the 
listeners start. As for you. Master Hurry, fair words are 
so apt to choke you that I no longer expect to hear them 
from your mouth, the last yo\i uttered sticking in your 
throat, and coming near to death. But I’m glad to see you 
keep better society than formerly, and that they who know 
how to esteem and treat women are not ashamed to journey 
in your company.” 

As this was said, a singularly handsome and youthful fe- 
male face was thrust through an opening in the leaves, 
Avithin reach of Deerslayer’s paddle. Its owner smiled 
graciously on the young man ; and the frown that she cast 
on Hurry, though simulated and pettish, 'had the effect to 
render her beauty more striking, by exhibiting the play of 
an expressive but capricious countenance ; one that seemed 
to change from the soft to the severe, the mirthful to the 
reproving, with facility and indifference. 

A second look explained the nature of the surprise. Un- 
Avittingly, the men had dropped alongside of the ark, which 
had been purposely concealed in bushes cut and arranged 
for the purpose ; and Judith Hutter had merely pushed 
aside the leaves that lay before a window, in order to show 
ber face and speak to them. 


THE DEERSLAYEK. 


57 


CHAPTER IV. 


“And that timid fawn starts not with fear, 
When I steal to her secret bower ; 

And that young May violet to me is dear, 
And I visit the silent streamlet near. 

To look on the lovely flower.” — Bryant. 


The ark, as tlic floating habitation of the Hutters was 
generally called, was a very simple contrivance. A large 
flat, or scow, composed the buoyant part of the vessel ; and 
in its centre, occupying the whole of its breadth and about 
two-thirds of its length, stood a low fabric, resembling the 
castle in construction, though made of materials so light as 
barely to be bullet-proof. As the sides of the scow were a 
little higher than usual, and the interior of ‘the cabin had 
no more elevation than was necessary for comfort, this un- 
usual addition had neither a very clumsy nor a very obtrus- 
ive appearance. It was, in short, little more than a mod- 
ern canal-boat, though more rudely constructed, of greater 
breadth than common, and bearing about it the signs of 
the wilderness, in its bark-covered posts and roof. The 
scow, however, had been put together with some skill, being 
comparatively light for its strength, and sufficiently man- 
ageable. The cabin was divided into two apartments, one 
of which served for a parlor and the sleeping-room of the 
father, and the other was appropriated to the uses of the 
daughter. A very simple arrangement sufficed for the 
kitchen, which was in one end of the scow, and removed 
from the cabin, standing in the open air; the ark being 
altogether a summer habitation. 

The “ and-bush,” as Hurry, in his ignorance of English, 
te-rmed it, is quite as easily explained. In many parts of 
the lake and river, where the banks were steep and high, 
the smaller trees and larger bushes, as has been already 
mentioned, fairly overhung the stream, their branches not 
unfrcquently dipping into the water. In some instances 
tliey grew outjn nearly horizontal lines 'for thirty or forty 
feet. The water being uniformly deepest near the shores, 
where the banks were highest and the nearest to a perpen- 


58 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


dicular, Hutter had found no difficulty in letting the ark 
» drop under one of these covers, where it had been anchored 
with a view to conceal its position ; security requiring some 
such precaution, in his view of the case. Once beneath 
the trees and bushes, a few stones fastened to the ends of 
the branches had caused them to bend sufficiently to dip 
into the river ; and a few severed bushes, properly dis- 
posed, did the rest. The reader has seen that this cover 
was so complete as to deceive two men accustomed to the 
woods, and who were actually in search of those it con- 
cealed ; a circumstance that will be easily understood by 
those who are familiar with the matted and wild luxuri- 
ance of a virgin American forest, more especially in a rich 
soil. 

The discovery of the ark produced very different effects 
on our two adventurers. As soon as the canoe could be 
got round to the proper opening. Hurry leaped on board, 
and in a minute was closely engaged in a gay and a sort of 
recriminating discourse with Judith, apparently forgetful 
of the existence of all the rest of the world. Not so with 
Deerslayer. He entered the ark with a slow, cautious 
step, examining every arrangement of the cover with curi- 
ous and scrutinizing eyes. It is true, he cast one admir- 
ing glance at Judith, which was extorted by her brilliant and 
singular beauty; but even this could detain him but a 
single instant from the indulgence of his interest in Hut- 
ter’s contrivances. Step by step did he look into the con- 
struction of the singular abode, investigate its fastenings 
and strength, ascertain its means of defence, and make 
every inquiry that would be likely to occur to one whose 
thoughts dwelt principally on such expedients. Nor was 
the cover neglected. Of this he examined the whole 
minutely, his ' commendation escaping him more than 
once, in audible comments. Frontier usages admitting of 
this familiarity, he passed through the rooms as he had pre- 
viously done at the castle; and, opening a door, issued into 
the end of the scow opposite to that where he had left 
Hurry and Judith. Here he found the other sister, em- 
ployed on some coarse needlework, seated beneath the 
leafy canopy of the cover. 

As Deerslayer’s examination was by this time ended, he 
dropped the butt of his rifle, and, leaning on the barrel 


THE DRERSLAYER. 


59 


with both hands, he turned toward the girl with an in- 
terest the singular beauty of her sister had not awakened. ' 
He had gathered from Hurry’s remarks that Hetty was 
considered to have less intellect than ordinarily falls to 
the share of human beings, and his education among Indians 
had taught him to treat those who were thus afflicted by 
Providence with more than common tenderness. Nor was 
there anything in Hetty Hutter’s appearance, as so often 
happens, to weaken the interest her situation excited. An 
idiot she could not properly be termed, her mind being 
just enough enfeebled to lose most of those traits that are 
connected with the more artful qualities, and to retain its 
ingenuousness and love of truth. It had often been re- 
marked of this girl, by the few who had seen her, and who 
possessed sufficient knowledge to discriminate, that her 
perception of the right seemed almost intuitive, while her 
aversion to the wrong formed so distinctive a .feature of 
her mind as to surround her with an atmosphere of pure 
morality ; peculiarities that are not unfrequent with per- 
sons who are termed feeble-minded, as if God had forbid- 
den the evil spirits to invade a precinct so defenceless, 
with the benign purpose of extending a. direct protection 
to those who had been left without the usual aids of hu- 
manity. Her person, too, was agreeable, having a strong 
resemblance to that of her sister, of which it was a sub- 
dued and humble copy. If it had none of the brilliancy 
of Judith’s, the calm, quiet, almost holy expression of her 
meek countenance seldom failed to win on the observer, 
and few noted it long that .did not begin to feel a deep 
and lasting interest in the girl. She had no color, in com- 
mon, nor was her simple mind*' apt to present images that 
caused her cheek to brighten, though she retained a mod- 
esty so innate that it almost raised her to the unsus- 
pecting purity of a being superior to human infirmities. 
Guileless, innocent, and without distrust, equally by na- 
ture and from her mode of life. Providence had, never- 
theless, shielded her from harm by a halo of moral 
light, as it is said, to “ temper the wind to the shorn 
lamb.” 

“You are Hetty Hutter,” said Deerslayer, in the way 
one puts a question unconsciously to himself, assuming a 
kindness of tone and manner that were singularly adapted 


6o 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


to win the confidence of her he addressed. ‘‘Hurry Harry 
has told me of you, and I know you must be the child.” 

“Yes, I’m Hetty Flutter,” returned the girl, in a low, 
sweet voice, which Nature, aided by some education, had 
preserved from vulgarity of tone and utterance; “I’m 
Hetty; Judith Hutter’s sister, and Thomas Hutter’s 
youngest daughter.” 

“I know your history, then, for Flurry Harry talks con- 
siderable, and he is free of speech, when he can find other 
people’s consarns to dwell on. You pass most of your life 
on the lake, Hetty ? ” 

“ Certainly. Mother is dead ; father is gone a-trapping, 
and Judith and I stay at home. What’s name ?” 

“That’s a question more easily -asked than it is answered, 
young woman ; seeing that Tm so young, and yet have 
borne more names than some of the greatest chiefs in 
all America.” 

“But you’ve got a name— you don't throw away one 
name before you come honestly by another ? ” 

‘‘ I hope not, gal— I hope not. My names have come 
nat’rally ; and I suppose the one I bear now will be of no 
great lasting, since the Delawares seldom settle on a man’s 
ra’al title, until such time as he has an opportunity of 
showing his true natur’, in the council or on the war-path ; 
which has never happened me ; seeing, firstly, because Tin 
not born a red-skin, and have no right to sit in their coun- 
cillings, and am much too humble to be called on for opin- 
ions from the great of my own color ; and, secondly, be- 
cause this is the first war that has befallen in my time, and 
no inimy has yet inroaded far enough into the colony to 
be reached by an arm even longer than mine.” 

“Tell me your names,” added Hetty, looking up at him 
artlessly, “and, maybe. I’ll tell you your character.” 

“ There is some truth in that. I'll not deny, though it 
often fails. Men are deceived in other men’s characters, 
and frequently give ’em names they by no means desarve. 
\ou can see the truth of this in the Mingo names, which, 
in their own tongue, signify the same things as the Dela- 
ware names — at least, so they tell me, for I know little of 
that tribe, unless it be by report — and no one can say they 
are as honest or as upright a nation. I put no great de- 
pendence, therefore, on names.” 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


6i 


“ Tell me all your names,” repeated the girl, earnestly, 
for her mind was too simple to separate things from pro- 
fessions, and she did attach importance to a name ; “ I 
want to know what to think of you.” 

“ Well, sartain ; I’ve no objection, and you shall hear 
them all. In the first place, then. I’m Christian, and 
white-born, like yourself, and my parents had a name that 
came down from father to son, as is a part of their gifts. 
My father was called Bumppo ; and I was named after him, 
of course, the given name being Nathaniel, or Natty, as 
most people saw fit to tarm it.” 

“Yes, yes — Natty — and Hetty,” interrupted the girl, 
quickly, and, looking up from lier work again, with a 
smile ; “you are Natty, and I’m Hetty — though you are 
Bumppo, and I’m flutter. Bumppo isn’t as pretty as 
H utter, is it ? ” 

“ Why, that’s as people fancy. Bumppo has no lofty 
sound, I admit ; and yet men have bumped through the 
world with it. I did not go by this name, however, 
very long ; for the Delawares soon found out, or thought 
they found out, that I was not given to lying, and they 
called me, firstly. Straight-tongue.” 

“That’s ^ good name,” interrupted Hetty, earnestly, and 
in a positive manner ; “don’t tell me there’s no virtue in 
names ! ” ' 

“I do not say f/iaf, for perhaps I desarved to be so 
called, lies being no favorites with me, as they are with 
some. After a while they found out that I was quick of 
foot, and then they called me ‘The Pigeon;’ which, you 
know, has a swift wing, and Hies in a direct line.” 

“ That was a pretty name ! ” exclaimed Hetty ; “ pigeons 
are pretty birds ! ” 

“ Most things that God has created are pretty, in their 
way, my good gal, though they get to be deformed by 
mankind so as to change their natur’s, as well as their ap- 
pearance. From carrying messages, and striking blind 
trails, I got, at last, to following the hunters, when it was 
thought I was quicker and surer af finding the game than 
most lads, and then they called me the ‘ Lap-ear ; ’ as they 
said I partook of the sagacity of a hound.” 

“ That’s not so pretty,” answered Hetty ; “ I hope you 
didn’t keep that name long.” 


62 


THE DRERSLAYER, 


“ Not after I was rich enough to buy a rifle,” returned 
the other, betraying a little pride through his usually 
quiet and subdued manner; then it was seen I could 
keep a wigwam in ven’son, and in time I got the name 
of ‘ Deerslayer,’ which is that I now bear ; homely as some 
will think it, who set more valie on the scalp of a fellow- 
mortal than on the horns, of a buck.” 

“ Well, Deerslayer, I’m not one of them,” answered 
Hetty, simply ; “Judith likes soldiers, and flary coats, and 
fine feathers ; but they’re all naught to me. She says the 
officers are great, and gay, and of soft speech ; but they 
make me shudder, for their business is to kill their fellow- 
creatures. I like your calling better ; and your last name 
is a very good one — better than Natty Bumppo.” 

“This is nat’ral, in one of your turn of mind, Hetty, 
and much as I should have expected. They tell' me your 
sister is handsome — oncommon, for a mortal ; and beauty 
is apt to seek admiration.” 

“Did you never see Judith?” demanded the girl, with 
quick earnestness ; “ if you never have, go at once and 
‘ look at her. Even Hurry Harry isn’t more pleasant to 
look at ; though she is a woman, and he is a man.” 

Deerslayer regarded the - girl, for a moment, with con- 
cern. Her pale face had flushed a little, and her eye, 
usually so mild and serene, brightened as she spoke, in the 
way to betray the inward impulses. 

“Ah, Hurry Harry,” he muttered to himself, as he 
walked through the cabin toward the other end of the 
•boat; “this comes of good looks, if a light tongue has 
had no consarn in it. It’s easy to see which way tliat 
poor creatur’s feelinjs are leanin’, whatever may be the 
case with your Jude’s.” 

But an interruption was put to the gallantry of Hurry 
—the coquetry of his mistress — the thoughts of Deer- 
slayer, and the gentle feelings of Hetty, by the sudden ap- 
pearance of the canoe of the ark’s owner, in the narrow 
opening among the bushes, that served as a sort of moat 
to his position. It would seem that flutter, or Floating 
Tom, as he was familiarly called by all the hunters who 
knew his habits, recognized the canoe of Hurry, for he 
expressed no surprise at finding him in the scow. On the 
contrary, his reception was such as to denote not only 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


63 


gratification, but a pleasure, mingled with a little disap- 
pointment at his not having made his appearance some 
days sooner. 

“ I looked for you last week,” he said, in a half-grum- 
bling, half-welcoming manner, ‘‘and was disappointed un- 
commonly that you didn’t arrive. There came a runner 
through to warn all the trappers and hunters that the col- 
ony and the Canadas were again in trouble, and I felt 
lonesome up in these mountains, with three scalps to see 
to, and only one pair of hands to protect them.” 

“That’s reasonable,” returned March, “and ’twas feel- 
ing like a parent. No doubt, if I had two such darters as 
Judith and Hetty, my exper’ence would tell the same 
story, though, in gin’ral, I am just as well satisfied with 
having the nearest neighbor fifty miles off as when he is 
within call.” 

“Notwithstanding, you didn’t choose to come into the 
wilderness alone, now you knew that the Canada savages 
are likely to be stirring,” returned Hutter, giving a sort 
of distrustful, and at the same time inquiring glance at 
Deerslayer. 

“ Why should I ? They say a bad companion, on a 
journey, helps to shorten the path ; and this young man I 
account to be a reasonably good one. This is Deerslayer, 
old Tom, a noted hunter among the Delawares, and Chris- 
tian-born, and Christian edicated, too, like you and me. 
The lad is not parfect, perhaps ; but there’s worse men in 
the country that he came from, and it’s likely he’ll find some ' 
that’s no better in this part of the world. Should we have 
occasion to defend our traps and the territory, he’ll be 
useful in feeding us all, for he’s a regular dealer in ven’- 
son.” 

“Young man, you are welcome,” growled Tom, thrust- 
ing a hard, bony hand toward the youth, as a pledge of 
his sincerity. “ In such times, a white face is a friend’s, 
and I count on you as a support. Children sometimes 
make a stout heart feeble, and these two daughters of 
mine give me more concern than all my traps, and skins, 
and rights in the country.” 

“That’s nat’ral ! ” cried Hurry. “Yes, Deerslayer, you 
and I don’t know it yet by experience ; but on the whole 
I consider that as nat’ral. If we had darters, it’s more than 


64 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


probable we should have some such feelin’s, and I honor 
the man that owns ’em. As for Judith, old man, I enlist 
at once as her soldier, and here is Deerslayer to help you 
to take care of Hetty.” 

“ Many thanks to you. Master March,” replied the beauty, 
in a full, rich voice, and with an accuracy of intonation 
and utterance that she shared in common with her sister, 
and which showed that she had been better taught than 
her father’s life and appearance would give reason to ex- 
pect — ‘Hnany thanks to you ; but Judith Hutter has the 
spirit and the experience that will make her depend more 
on herself than on good-looking rovers like you. Should 
there be need to face the savages, do you land with my 
father, instead of burrowing in the huts, under the show 
of defending us females, and ” 

“Girl — girl,” interrupted the father, “quiet that glib 
tongue of thine, and hear the truth. There are savages on 
the lake-shore already, and no man can say how near they 
may be to us at this very moment, or when we may hear- 
more of them ! ” 

“ If this be true. Master Hutter,” said Hurry, whose 
change of countenance denoted how serious he deemed 
the information, though it did not denote any unmanly 
alarm, “ if this be true, your ark is in a most misfortunate 
position, for, though the cover did deceive Deerslayer and 
myself, it would hardly be overlooked by a full-blooded 
Injin, who was out seriously in s’arcli of scalps ! ” 

“ I think as you do. Hurry, and wish, with all my heart, 
we lay anywhere else, at this moment, than in this narrow, 
crooked' stream, which has many advantages to hide in, 
but which is almost fatal to them that are discovered. The 
savages are near us, moreover, and the difficulty is to get 
out of the river without being shot down like deer stand- 
ing at a lick ! ” 

“Are you sartain. Master Hutter, that the red-skins you 
dread are ra’al Canadas ? ” asked Deerslayer, in a modest 
but earnest manner. “ Have you seen any, and can you 
describe their paint ? ” 

“I have fallen in with the signs of their being in the 
neighborhood, but have seen none of ’em. I was down- 
stream a mile or so, looking to my traps, when I struck a 
fresh trail, crossing the corner of a swamp, and moving 


THE DEE E SLA VEE. 


65 


northward. The man had not passed an hour ; and I 
knowed it for an Indian footstep, by the size of the foot, 
and the intoe, even before I found a worn moccasin, which 
its owmer had dropped as useless. For that matter, I 
found the spot where he halted to make a new one, which 
was only a few yards from the place where he had dropped 
the old one.” 

“ That doesn’t look much like a red-skin on the war-path,” 
returned the other, shaking his head. “ An exper’enced 
warrior, at least, would have burned, or buried, or sunk in . 
the river, such signs of his passage ; and your trail is, quite 
likely, a peaceable trail. But the moccasin may greatly 
relieve my mind, if you bethought you of bringing it off. 
I’ve come here to meet a young chief myself ; and his 
course would be much in the direction you’ve mentioned. 
The trail may have been his’n.” 

“ Hurry Harry, you’re well acquainted with this young 
man, I hope, who has meetings with savages in a part of 
the country where he has never been before ? ” demanded 
Hutter, in a tone and in a manner that sufficiently indicated 
the motive of the question ; these rude beings seldom hesi- 
tating, on the score of delicacy, to betray their feelings. 

“ Treachery is an Indian virtue ; and the whites that live 
much in their tribes soon catch their ways and practices.” 

“True — true as the Gospel, old Tom ; but not personal 
to Deerslayer, who’s a young man of truth, if he has no 
other ricommend. I’ll answer for his honesty^ whatever I 
may do for his valor in battle.” 

“ I should like to know his errand in this strange quarter 
of the country.” 

“That is soon told. Master Hutter,” said the young man, 
with the composure of one w’ho kept a clean conscience. 

“ I think, moreover, you’ve a right to ask it. The father 
of two such darters, wffio occupies a lake, after your fashion, 
has just the same right to inquire into a stranger’s business 
in his neighborhood, as the colony w^ould have to demand 
the reason wffiy the Trenchers put more rijiments than 
common along the lines. No, no. I’ll not deny your right 
to know why a stranger comes into your habitation or 
country in times as serious as these.” 

“ If such is your way of thinking, friend, let me hear 
your story without more words.” 

5 


65 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


“’Tis soon told, as I said afore ; and sliall be honestly 
told. I’m a young man, and as yet have never been on the 
war-path ; but no sooner did the news come among the 
Delawares that wampum and a liatchet were about to be 
sent into the tribe, than they wished me to go out among 
the people of my own color, and get the exact state of 
things for ’em. This I did ; and after delivering my talk 
to the chiefs, on my return I met an officer of the crown 
on the Schoharie, who had moneys to send to some of the 
friendly tribes, that live farther west. This was thought a 
good occasion for Chingachgook, a young chief who has 
never struck a foe, and myself, to go to our first war-path 
in company ; and an app’intment was made for us, by an 
old Delaware, to meet at the rock near the foot of this lake. 
I’ll not deny that Chingachgook has another object in view, 
but it has no consarn with any here, and is his secret, and 
not mine ; therefore. I’ll say no more about it.” 

“’Tis something about a young woman,” interrupted 
Judith, hastily ; then laughing at her own impetuosity, and 
even having the grace to color a little at the manner in 
which she had betrayed her readiness to impute such a 
motive. ‘‘ If ‘tis neither war nor a hunt, it must be love.” 

“ Ay, it comes easy for the young and handsome, who 
hear so much of them feelings, to suppose that they lie at 
the bottom of most proceedin’s ; but on that head I say 
nothin’. Chingachgook is to meet me at the rock an hour 
afore sunset to-morrow evening, after ydiich we shall go 
our way together, molesting none but "the king’s inimies, 
who are lawfully our own. Knowing Hurry of old, who 
once trapped in our hunting-grounds, and falling in with 
him on the Schoharie just as he was on the p’int of start- 
ing for his summer ha’nts, we agreed to journey in com- 
pany ; not so much from fear of the Mingoesas from good 
fellowship, and, as he says, to shorten a long road.” 

“ And yon think the trail I saw may have been that of 
your friend, ahead of his time ?” said Flutter. 

“That’s my idee ; which may be wrong, but wdiich may 
be right. If I saw the moccasin, however, I could tell in a 
minute whether it is made in the Delaware fashion or 
not.” 

“ Here it is, then,” said the quick-witted Judith, who 
had already gone to the canoe in quest of it ; “ tell us what 


77 //-; DERRSLA YEK. 67 

it says, friend or enemy. Yon look honest ; and 1 believe 
all you say, whatever father may think.” 

“ That’s the way with you, Jude ; forever finding out 
friends where I distrust foes,” grumbled Tom. But speak 
out young man, and tell us what you think of the moccasin.” 

“That’s not Delaware-made,” returned Deerslayer, ex- 
amining the worn and rejected covering for the foot with 
a cautious eye ; “ I am too young on a war-path to be posi- 
tive, but I should say that moccasin has a northern look, 
and comes from beyond the great lakes.” 

“ If such ^ the case we ought not to lie here a minute 
longer than is* necessary,” said Hutter, glancing Iflirough 
the leaves oJ[ hi:s_^cover, as if he already distrusted the pres- 
ence of an enemy on the opposite shore of the narrow and 
sinuous stream: “ It wants but an hour or so of night, 
and to move in the dark will be impossible, without mak- 
ing a noise that would betray us. Did you hear the echo 
of a piece in the mountains, half an hour since ? ” 

“Yes, old man, and heard the piece itself,” answered 
Hurry, who now felt the indiscretion of which he had been 
guilty, “ for the last was fired from my own shoulder.” 

“ I feared it came from the French Indians ; still, it may 
put them on the lookout, and be a means of discovering 
us. You did wrong to fire in war-time, unless there was 
good occasion.” 

“ So I begin to think myself. Uncle Tom ; and yet, if a 
man can’t trust himself to let off his rifle in a wilderness 
that is a thousand miles square, lest some inimy should 
hear it, where’s the use in carrying one ?” 

Hutter now held a long consultation with his two guests, 
in which the parties came to a true understanding of thcir 
situation. He explained tliQ difficulty that would exist in 
attempting to get the ark out of so swift and narrow a 
stream, in the dark, without making a noise that coidd not 
fail to attract Indian ears. Any strollers in their vicinity 
would keep near the river or the lake ; but the former had 
swampy shores in many places, and was both so crooked 
and so fringed with bushes that it was quite possible to 
move by daylight without incurring much danger of being 
seen. More was to be apprehended, perhaps, from the ear 
than from the eye, especially as long as they were in the 
slujrt, straitened, and canopied reaches of the stream. 

V- 


68 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


“ I never drop down into this cover, which is handy to 
my traps, and safer than the lake from curious eyes, without 
providing the means of getting out ag’in,” continued this 
singular being ; “and that is easier done by a pull than a 
push. My anchor is now lying above the suction, in the 
open lake ; and here is a line, you see, to haul us up to it. 
Without some such help, a single pair of hands would 
make heavy work in forcing a scow like this up-stream. 
I have a sort of a crab, too, that lightens the pull, on occa- 
sion. Jude can use the oar astarn, as well as myself ; and 
when we fear no enemy, to get out of the river gives us 
but little trouble.” ’ - ... 

“What should we gain. Master flutter, by changing 
tlie position ? ” asked Deerslayer, with a good deal of ear- 
nestness ; “ this is a safe cover ; ai>d a stout defence might 
be made from the inside of this cabin. I’ve never fou’t 
unless in the way of tradition ; but it seems to me we might 
beat off twenty Mingoes with palisades like them afore us.” 

“ Ay, ay, you’ve never fought except in traditions, that’s 
plain enough, young man ! Did you ever see as broad a 
sheet of water as this above us, before you came in upon 
it with Hurry ? ” 

“ I can’t say that I ever did,” Deerslayer answered, mod- 
estly. “ Youth is the time to I’arn ; and I’m far from 
wishing to raise my voice in counsel, afore it is justified 
by exper’ence.” 

.“Well, then. I’ll teach you the disadvantage of fighting 
in this position, and the advantage of taking to the open 
lake. Here, you may see, the savages will know where to 
aim every shot ; and it would be too much to hope that 
some would not find their way through the crevices of tlie 
logs. Now, on the other hand, should have nothing but 
a forest to aim at. Then we 'are not safe from fire here ; 
the bark of this roof being little better than so much kin- 
dling-wood. The castle, too, might be' entered and ran- 
sacked in my absence, and all my possessions overrun and 
destroyed. Once in the lake, we can be attacked only in‘ 
boats or on rafts — shall have a fair chance with the enemy 
— and can protect the castle with the ark. Do you under- 
stand this reasoning, youngster ? ” 

“It sounds well — yes, it has a rational sound ; and I’ll 
not gainsay it.” 


THE DEERSLAYRR. 


69 


“ Well, old Tom,” cried Hurry, “ if we are to move, the 
sooner we make a beginning the sooner we shall know 
whether we are to have our scalps for nightcaps or not.” 

As this proposition was self-evident, no one denied its 
justice. The three men, after a short preliminary expla- 
nation, now set about their preparations to move the ark 
in earnest. The slight fastenings were quickly loosened ; 
and by hauling on the line, the heavy craft slowly 
emerged from the cover. It was no sooner free from the 
encumbrance of the branches, than it swung into the 
stream, sheering quite close to the western shore by the 
foLTce of the current. Not a soul on board heard the rus- 
tling of the branches, as the cabin came against the bushes 
and trees of the western bank, without a feeling of uneasi- 
ness ; for no one knew at what moment, or in what place, 
a secret and murderous enemy might unmask himself. 
Perhaps the gloomy light^that still struggled through the 
impending canopy of leaves, or found its way through tlie 
narrow, ribbon-like opening, which seemed to mark, in 
the air above, the course of the river that flowed beneath, 
aided in augmenting the appearance of danger ; for it was 
little more than sufficient to render objects visible, without 
giving up all their outlines at a glance. Although the sun 
had not absolutely set, it had withdrawn its direct rays 
from the valley ; and the hues of evening were beginning 
to gather around objects that stood uncovered, rendering 
those within the shadows of the woods still more sombre 
and gloomy. 

No interruption followed the movement, however, and, 
as the men continued to haul on the line, the ark passed 
steadily ahead, the great breadth of the scow preventing 
its sinking into the water, and from offering much resist- 
ance to the progress of the swift element beneath its bot- 
tom. Hutter, too, had adopted a precaution, suggested 
by experience, which might have done credit to a seaman, 
and which completely prevented any of the annoyances 
and obstacles which otherwise would have attended the 
short turns of the river. As the ark descended, heavy 
stones, attached to the line, were dropped in the centre of 
the stream, forming local anchors, each of which was kept 
from dragging by the assistance of those above it, until 
the uppermost of all was reached, which got its “backing” 


70 


THE DEERELA YKR. 


from the anchor, or grapnel, that lay out in the lake. In 
consequence of this expedient, the ark floated clear of the 
encumbrances of the shore, against which it would other- 
wise have been unavoidably hauled at every turn, produc- 
ing embarrassments that Hutter, single-handed, would 
have found it very difficult to overcome. 

Favored by this foresight, and stimulated by the appre- 
hension of discovery. Floating Tom and his two athletic 
companions hauled the ark ahead with quite as much ra- 
pidity as comported with the strength of the line. At every 
turn in the stream a stone was raised from the bottom, 
when the direction of the scow changed to that ppinted 
toward the stone that lay above. In this manner, with the 
channel buoyed out for him, as a sailor might term it, did 
Hutter move forward, occasionally- urging his friends, in a 
low and guarded voice, to increase their exertion, and then, 
as occasions offered, warning them against efforts that 
might, at particular moments, endanger all by too much 
zeal, in spite of their long familiarity with the woods, the 
gloomy character of the shaded river added to the uneasi- 
ness that each felt ; and when the ark reached the first 
bend in the Susquehanna, and the eye caught a* glimpse 
of the broader expanse of the lake, all felt a relief that per- 
haps none would have been willing to confess. Here the 
last stone was raised from the bottom, and the line led di- 
rectly toward the grapnel, which, as Hutter had explained, 
was dropped along above the suction of the current. 

“Thank God!” ejaculated Hurry, '‘‘there is daylight, 
and we shall soon have a chance of seeing our inimies, if 
we are to feel ’em.” 

“ That is more than you or any man can say,” growled 
Hutter. “ There is no spot so likely to harbor a party, as 
the shore around the outlet ; and the moment we clear 
these trees and get into open water will be the most 
trying time, since it will leave the enemy a cover while it 
puts us out of one. — Judith, girl, do you and Hetty leave 
the oar to take care of itself, and go within the cabin ; and 
be mindful not to show your faces at a window, for they 
who will look at them won’t stop to praise their beauty. 
And now. Hurry, we’ll step into this outer room ourselves, 
and haul through the door, where we shall all be safe from 
a surprise at least. Friend Deerslayer, as the current is 


THE DEERSLA YEK. 


71 


lighter, and the line has all the strain on it that is prudent, 
do you keep moving from window to window, taking care 
not to let your head be seen, if you set any value on life. 
No one knows when or where we shall hear from our 
neighbors.” 

Deerslayer complied, with a sensation that had nothing 
common with fear, but whicli had all the interest of a per- 
fectly novel and a most exciting situation. For tlie first 
time in his life he was in the vicinity of enemies, or had 
good reason to think so ; and that, too, under all the thrill- 
ing circumstances of Indian surprises and Indian artifices. 
As he took his stand at a window, the ark was just passing 
through the narrowest part of the stream, a point where 
the water first entered what was properly termed the river, 
and where the frees fairly interlocked overhead, causing 
the current to rush into an arch of verdure ; a feature as 
appropriate and peculiar to the country, perhaps, as that 
of Switzerland, where the rivers come rushing liteially 
from chambers of ice. 

The ark was in the act of passing the last curve of this 
leafy entrance, as Deerslayer, having examined all tliat 
could be seen of the eastern bank of the river, crossed the 
room to look, from the opposite window, at the western. 
His arrival at this aperture was most opportune, for he liad 
no sooner placed his eye at a crack than a sight met his 
gaze that might well have alarmed a sentinel so young and 
inexperienced. A sapling overhung the water, in nearly 
half a circle, having first grown toward the light, and then 
been pressed down into this form by the weight of the 
snows ; a circumstance of common occurrence in the 
American woods. On this no less than six Indians had al- 
ready appeared, others standing ready to follow them as 
they left room ; each evidently bent on running out on the 
trunk and dropping on the roof of the ark as it passed be- 
neath. This would have been an exploit of no great diffi- 
culty, the inclination of the tree admitting of an easy pas- 
sage, the adjoining branches offering ample support for the 
hands, and the fall being too trifling to be apprehended. 
When Deerslayer first saw this party, it was just unmask- 
ing itself by ascending the part of thelree nearest to the 
earth, or that which was the most difficult to overcome ; 
and his knowledge of ‘Indian habits told him at once that 


72 


THE DEEKSLA YER. 


they were all in their war-paint and belonged to a hostile 
tribe. 

“ Pull, Hurry,” he cried ; “ pull for your life, and as you 
love Judith Hutter ! Pull, man, pull !” 

This call was made to one that the young man knew had 
the strength of a giant. It was so earnest and solemn that 
both Hutter and March felt it was not idly given, and they 
applied all their force to the line simultaneously, and at a 
most critical moment. The scow redoubled its motion, 
and seemed to glide from under the tree as if conscious of 
the danger that was imp*ending overhead. Perceiving 
that they were discovered, the Indians uttered the fearful 
war-whoop, and, running forward on the tree, leaped des- 
perately toward their fancied prize. There were six on the 
tree, and each made the effort. All but their leader fell 
into the river more or less distant from the ark, as they 
came, sooner or later, to the leaping-place. The chief, 
who had taken the dangerous post in advance, having an 
earlier opportunity than the others, struck the scow just 
within the stern. The fall proving so much greater than he 
had anticipated, he was slightly stunned, and for a moment 
he remained half bent and unconscious of his situation. At 
this instant, Judith rushed from the cabin, her beauty 
heightened by the excitement that produced the bold act, 
which flushed her cheek to crimson, and throwing all her 
strength into the effort, she pushed the intruder over the 
edge of the scow, headlong into the river. This decided 
feat was no sooner accomplished than the woman resumed 
her sway; Judith looked over the stern to ascertain what 
had become of the man, and the expression of . her eyes 
softened to concern ; next, her cheek crimsoned between 
shame and surprise at her own temerity ; and then she 
laughed in her own merry and sweet manner. All this oc- 
cupied less than a minute, when the arm of Deerslayer 
was thrown around her waist, and she was dragged swiftly 
within the protection of the cabin. This retreat \yas not 
effected too soon. Scarcely were the two in safety, when 
the forest was filled with yells, and bullets began to patter 
against the logs. 

The ark being in swift motion all this while, it was be- 
yond the danger of pursuit by the time these little events 
had occurred ; and the savages, as soon as the first burst 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


73 


of their anger had subsided, ceased firing, with the con- 
sciousness that they were expending their ammunition in 
vain. When the scow came up over her grapnel, Hutter 
tripped the latter, in a way not to impede the motion ; and 
being now beyond the influence of the current, the vessel 
continued to drift ahead, until fairly in the open lake, 
though still near enough to the land to render exposure 
to a rifle-bullet dangerous. Hutter and March got out two 
small sweeps, and, covered by the cabin, they soon urged 
the ark far enough from the shore to leave no inducement 
to their enemies to make any farther attempt to injure 
them. 


f\ 

V 



CHAPTER V. 


“Why, let the stricken deer go weep. 

The hart ungalled play, 

For some must watch, while some must sleep. 
Thus runs the world away.” — Shakespeare. 


Another consultation took place in the forward part of 
the scow, at which both Judith and Hetty were present. 
As no danger could now approach unseen, immediate un- 
easiness had given place to the concern which attended 
the conviction that enemies were in considerable force 
on the shores of the lake, and that they might be sure no 
practical means of accomplishing their own destruction 
would be neglected. As a matter of course, Hutter felt 
these truths the deepest, his daughters having an habitual 
reliance on his resources, and knowing too little to appre- 
ciate fully all the risks they ran ; while his male compan- 
ions were at liberty to quit him at any moment they saw 
fit. His first remark showed that he had an eye to the 
latter circumstance, and might have betrayed, to a keen 
observer, the apprehension that was just then uppermost. 

“We’ve a great advantage over the Iroquois, or the en- 
emy, whoever they are, in being afloat,” he said. “There’s 
not a canoe on the lake that I don’t know where it’s hid ; 
and now yours is here. Hurry, there are but three more 
on the land, and they’re so snug in hollow logs that I don't 


74 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


believe the Indians could find them, let them try ever so 
long.” 

“ There’s no telling that — no one can say that,” put in 
Deerslayer ; “a hound is not more sartain on the scent 
than a red-skin, when he expects to get anything by it. 
Let this party see scalps afore ’em, or plunder, or honor, 
accordin’ to their idees of what honor is, and ’twill be a 
tight log that hides a canoe from their eyes.” 

“ You’re right, Deerslayer,” cried Harry March ; “you’re 
downright gospel in this matter, and I rej’ice that my 
bunch of bark is safe enough here, within reach of my 
arm. I calkilate they’ll be at all the rest of the canoes 
afore to-morrow night, if they are in ra’al ’arnest to smoke 
you out, old Tom, and we may as well overhaul our pad- 
dles for a pull.” 

Hutter made no immediate reply. He looked about liim 
in silence for quite a minute, examining the sky, the lake, 
and the belt of forest which enclosed it, as it might be her- 
metically, like pne consulting their signs. Nor did he find 
any alarming symptoms. The boundless woods were sleep- 
ing in the deep repose of Nature, the heavens were placid, 
but still luminous with the light of the retreating sun, 
while the lake looked more lovely and calm than it had ^ 
before done that day. It was a scene altogether soothing, 
and of a character to lull the passions into a species of holy 
calm. How far this effect was produced, however, on the 
p.arty in the ark, must appear in the progress of our nar- 
rative. 

“Judith,” called out her father, when he had taken this 
close but short survey of the omens, “ night is at hand ; 
find our friends food ; a long march gives a sharp appe- 
tite.” 

“ We’re not starving. Master Hutter,” March observed, 

“ for we filled up just as we reached the lake, and, for one, 

1 prefar the company of Jude even to her supper. This 
quiet evening is very agreeable to sit by her side.” 

“Natur’ is natiir’,” objected Hutter, “and must be fed. 
Judith, see to the meal, and take your sister to help you. 
I’ve a little discourse to hold with you, friends,” he con- 
tinued, as soon as his daughters were out of hearing, “ and 
wish the girls away. You see my situation ; and I should 
like to hear your opinions concerning what is best to be 


THE DEER SLA YER. 


75 


done. Three times have I been burnt out already, but that 
was on the shore ; and I’ve considered myself as pretty safe 
ever since I got the castle built and the ark afloat. My 
other accidents, however, happened in peaceable times, 
being nothing more than such flurries as a man must meet 
with in the woods ; but this matter looks serious, and your 
ideas would greatly relieve my mind.” 

“ It’s my notion, old Tom, that you, and your huts, and 
your traps, and your whole possessions hereaway, are in 
desperate jippardy,” returned the matter-of-fact Hurry, 
who saw no use in concealment. “Accordin’ to my idees 
of valie, they’re altogether not worth half as much to day 
as they were yesterday, nor would I give much for ’em, 
taking the pay in skins.” 

“ Then I’ve children ! ” continued the father, making the 
allusion in a way that might have puzzled even an indif- 
ferent .observer to say was intended as a bait, or as an ex- 
clamation of paternal concern, “ daughters, as you know. 
Hurry, and good girls, too, I may say, though I am their 
father.” 

“ A man may say anytliing. Master Hotter, particularly 
when pressed by time and circumstances. You’ve darters, 
as you say, and one of them hasn’t her equal on the fron- 
tiers for good looks, whatever she may have for good be- 
havior. As for poor Hetty, she’s Hetty Hotter, and that’s 
as much as one can say about the poor thing. Give me 
Jude, if her conduct was to her looks ! ” 

“ I see, Harry March, I can only count on you as a fair- 
weather friend ; and I suppose that your companion will 
be of the same way of thinking,” returned the other, with 
a slight show of pride, that was not altogether without 
dignity ; “well, I must depend on Providence, which will 
not turn a deaf ear, perhaps, to a father’s prayers.” 

“If you’ve understood Hurry, here, to mean that he 
intends to desart you,” said Deerslayer, with an earnest 
simplicity that gave double assurance of its truth, “I think 
you do him injustice, as I know you do me, in supposing I 
would follow him was he so on true-hearted as to leave a 
family of his own color in such a strait as this. I’ve come 
on this lake. Master Hutter, to rende’vous a fri’nd, and I 
only wish he was here himself, as I make no doubt he will 
be at sunset to-morrow, when you’d luive another rifle to 


76 


THE DEER SLA YER. 


aid you ; an inexper'enced one, I’ll allow, like my own, 
but one that has proved true so often ag’in the game, big 
and little, that I’ll answer for its sarvice ag’in mortals,” 

‘‘ May I depend on you to stand by me and my daugh- 
ters, then, Deerslayer ?” demanded the old man, with a 
father’s anxiety in his countenance. 

“ That may you, Floating Tom, if that’s your name, and 
as a brother would stand by a sister, a husband his wife, 
or a suitor his sweetheart. In this strait you may count 
on me through all advarsities, and I think Hurry does 
discredit to his natur’ and wishes if you can’t count 'on 
him.” 

“Not lie,” cried Judith, thrusting her handsome face 
out of the door ; “ his nature is hurry, as well as his name, 
and he’ll hurry off as soon as he thinks his fine figure in 
danger. Neither ‘old Tom ’ nor his ‘gals ’will depend 
much on Master March, now they know him, but you they 
will rely on, Deerslayer, for your honest face and your 
honest heart tell us that what you promise you will per- 
form.” 

This was said, as much, perhaps, in affected scorn for 
Hurry as in sincerity. Still, it was not said without feel- 
ing. The fine face of Judith sufficiently proved the latter 
circumstance, and if the conscious March fancied that he 
had never seen in it a stronger display of contempt — a 
feeling in which the beauty was apt to indulge — than 
while she was looking at him, it seldom exhibited more of 
womanly softness and sensibility than when her speaking 
blue eyes were turned on his travelling companion. 

“ Leave us, Judith,” Hutter ordered, sternly, before 
either of the young men could reply ; “leave us, and do 
not return until you come with the venison and fish. 
The girl has been spoiled by the flattery of the officers 
who sometimes find their way up here. Master March, 
and you’ll not think any harm of her silly words.” 

“You never said truer syllable, old Tom,” retorted 
Hurry, who smarted under Judith’s observations; “the 
devil-tongued youngsters of the garrison have proved her 
undoing! I scarce know Jude any longer, and shall soon 
take to admiring her sister, who is getting to be much 
more to my fancy.” 

“ I am glad to hear this, Harry, and look upon it as a 


THE DEERS LA YER. 


77 


sign that you’re coming to your right senses. Hetty 
would make a much safer and more rational companion 
than Jude, and would be much the most likely to listen to 
your suit, as the officers have, I greatly fear, unsettled her 
sister’s mind.” 

“No man need want a safer wife than Hetty,” said 
Hurry, laughing, “ though I’ll not answer for her being of 
the most rational. But no matter ; Deerslayer has not mis- 
conceived me when he told you I should be found at my 
post. I’ll not quit you, Uncle Tom, just now, whatever 
may be my feelin’s and intentions respecting your eldest 
darter.” 

Hurry had a respectable reputation for prowess among 
his associates, and Hutter heard this pledge with a satis- 
faction that was not concealed. Even the great personal 
strength of such an aid became of moment in moving the 
ark as well as in the species of hand-to-hand conflicts that 
were not unfrequent in the woods ; and no commander 
who w^as hard pressed could feel more joy at hearing of 
the arrival of reinforcements than the borderer experi- 
enced at being told this important auxiliary was not about 
to quit him. A minute before, Hutter would have been 
well content to compromise his danger, by entering into a 
compact to act only on the defensive, but no sooner did 
he feel some security on this point than the restlessness 
of man induced him to think of the means of carrying the 
war into the enemy’s country. 

“High prices are offered for scalps, on both sides,” he 
observ’ed, with a grim smile, as if he felt the force of the 
inducement, at the very time he wished to affect a superi- 
ority to earning money by means that the ordinary feelings 
of those who aspire to be civilized men repudiated even 
while they were adopted. “ It isn’t right, perhaps, to take 
gold for human blood, and yet, when mankind is busy in 
killing one another, there can be no great harm in adding 
a little bit of skin to the plunder. What’s your sentiments. 
Hurry, touching these p’ints?” 

“ That you’ve made a vast mistake, old man, in calling 
savage blood human blood at all. I think no more of a 
red-skin’s scalp than I do of a pair of wolf’s ears ; and 
would just as lief finger money for the one as for the 
other. With white people ’tis different, for they’ve a nat’ral 


THE DEERSLAYEK. 


avarsion to being scalped ; whereas your Indian shaves his 
head in readiness for the knife, and leaves a lock of hair, 
by way of braggadocio, that one can lay hold of, in the 
bargain.” 

“ That’s manly, however, and I felt from the first that 
we had only to get you on our side to have you, heart and 
hand,” returned Tom, losing all his reserve, as he gained 
a renewed confidence in the disposition of his companion. 
‘‘ Something more may turn up from this inroad of the red- 
skins than they bargained for. Deerslayer, I conclude 
you’re of Hurry’s way of thinking, and look upon money 
’arned in this way as being as likely to pass as money 
’arned in trapping or hunting.” 

“ I’ve no such feelin’, nor any wish to harbor it — not 1,” 
returned the other. “My gifts are. not scalpers’ gifts, but 
such as belong to my religion and color. I’ll stand by you, 
old man, in the ark or in the castle, the canoe or the 
woods, but I’ll not unhumanize my natur’ by falling into 
ways that God intended for another race. If you and 
Hurry have got any thoughts that lean toward the colony’s 
gold, go by yourselves in s’arch of it, and leave the fe- 
males to my care, j^^uch as I must differ from you both 
on all gifts that do not properly belong to a white man, 
we shay agree that it is the duty of the strong to take care 
of the weak, especially when the last belong to them that 
natur’ intended man to protect and console by his gentle- 
ness and strength.” 

“ Hurry Harry, that is a lesson you might learn and 
practise on to some advantage,” said the sweet but spirited 
voice of Judith, from the cabin ; a proof that she had over- 
heard all that had hitherto been said. 

“No more of this, Jude,” called out the father, angrily. 
“ Move farther off ; we are about to talk of matters unfit 
for a woman to listen to.” 

flutter did not take any steps, howevdr, to ascertain 
whether he was obeyed or not, but, dropping his voice a 
little, he pursued the discourse. 

“ The young man is right, Hurry,” he said ; “and we can 
leave the children in his care. Now, my idea is just this, 
and I think you’ll agree that it is rational and correct: 
There’s a large party of these savages on the shore ; and, 
though I didn’t tell it before the girls, for they’re woman- 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


79 


ish; and apt to be troublesome when anything like real 
work is to be done, there’s women among ’em. This I 
know from moccasin-prints ; and ’tis likely they are hunt- 
ers, after all, who haye been out so long that they know 
nothing of the war or of the bounties.” 

“ In which case, old Tom, why was their first salute an 
attempt to cut all our throats ? ” 

“ We don’t know that their design was so bloody. It’s 
natural and easy for an Indian to fall into ambushes and 
surprises ; and no doubt they wished to get on board the 
ark first and to make their conditions afterward. That 
a disapp’inted sayage should fire at us is in rule ; and I 
think nothing of that. Besides, how often haye they burned 
me out and robbed my traps — ay, and pulled trigger on me 
— in the most peaceful times ! ” 

“ The blackguards will do such things, I must allow ; 
and we pay ’em off pretty much in their own c’ine. Wom- 
en would not be on the vyar-path, sartainly ; and, so far, 
there’s reason in your idee.” 

“Nor would a hunter be in his war-paint,” returned 
Deerslayer. “ I saw the Mingoes, and k?i(m.' that they are 
out on the trail of mortal men, and, not for beaver or 
deer.” , * 

“ There you have it ag’in, old fellow,” said Hurry. “ In 
the way of an eye, now. I’d as soon trust this young man 
as trust the oldest settler in the colony ; if he says paint, 
why paint it was.”^ 

“ Then a hunting-party and a war-party have met, for 
women must have been with ’em. It’s only a few days since 
the runner went through with the tidings of the troubles ; 
and it may be that warriors have come out to call in their 
women and children, and to get an early blow.” 

“ That would stand the courts, and is just the truth,” 
cried Hurry; “you’ve got it now, old Tom, and I should 
like to hear what you mean to make out of it.” 

“ The -bounty,” returned the other, looking up at his at- 
tentive companion, in acool, sullen manner, in which, how- 
ever, heartless cupidity and indifference to the means were 
far more conspicuous than any feelings of animosity or re- 
venge. ' “ If there’s women, there’s children ; and big and 
little have scalps ; the colony pays for all alike.” 

“More shame to it, that it should do so,” interrupted 


So 


THE DEERSLA YEN. 


Deerslayer ; “ more shame to it, that it don’t understand 
its gifts and pay greater attention to the will of God.” 

“ Hearken to reason, lad, and don’t cry out afore you un- 
derstand a case,” returned the unmoved Hurry ; “the savages 
scalp your fri’nds, the Delawares or Mohicans, whichever 
they may be, among the rest ; and why shouldn’t we scalp ? 
I will own, it would be ag’in right for you and me, now, to 
go into the settlements and bring out scalps, but it’s a very 
different matter as concerns Indians. A man shouldn’t 
take scalps if he isn’t ready to be scalped himself on fit- 
ting occasions. One good turn desarves another, all the 
world over. That’s reason, and I believe it to be good re- 
ligion.” 

“ Ay, Master Hurry,” again interrupted the rich voice of 
Judith, “is it religion to say that one bad turn deserves 
another ? ” 

“ I’ll never reason ag’in’ you, Judy, for you beat me with 
beauty, if you can’t with sense. Here’s the Canadas pay- 
ing their Injins for scalps, and why not we pay ” 

“ Our Indians ! ” exclaimed the girl, laughing with a sort 
of melancholy merriment. “ Father, father ! think no more 
of this, and listen ti^^the advice of Deerslayer, who has a 
conscience, which i^iore than I can say or think of Harry 
March.” 

Hutter now rose, and, entering the cabin, he compelled 
his daughters to go into the adjoining room, when he se- 
cured both the doors and returned. Then he and Hurry 
pursued the subject ; but as the purport of all that was 
material in this discourse will appear in the narrative, it 
need not be related here in detail. The reader, however, 
can have no difficulty in comprehending the morality that 
presided over their conference. It was, in truth, that which, 
in some form or other, rules most of the acts of men, and 
in which the controlling principle is that one wrong will 
justify another. Their enemies paid for scalps, and this 
was sufficient to justify the colony for retaliating. It is 
true, the French used the same argument — a circumstance, 
as Hutter took occasion to observe in answer to one of 
Deerslayer’s objections, that proved its truth, as mortal 
enemies would not be likely to have recourse to the same 
reason unless it were a good one. But neither Hutter nor 
Hurry was a man likely to stick at trifles in matters con- 


rilR DEERSLAYER. 


8 1 


nected with the right of the aborigines, since it is one of 
the consequences of aggression that it hardens the con- 
science, as the only means of quieting it. In the most 
peaceable state of the country, a species of warfare was 
carried on between the Indians, especially those of the 
Canadas, and men of their cast ; and the moment an actual 
and recognized warfare existed, it was regarded as the 
means of lawfully revenging a thousand wrongs, real and 
imaginary. Then, again, there was some truth and a good 
deal of expediency in the principle of retaliation, of which 
they both availed themselves, in particular, to answer the 
objections of their just-minded and more scrupulous com- 
panion. 

“You must fight a man with his own we’pons. Deer- 
slayer,” cried Hurry, in his uncouth dialect, and in his 
dogmatical manner of disposing of all moral propositions; 

“ if he’s f erce, you must be f ercer ; if he’s stout of heart, 
you must be stouter. This is the way to get the better of 
Christian or savage : by keeping up to this trail, you’ll get 
soonest to the ind of your journey.” 

“ That’s not Moravian doctrine, which teaches that all 
are to be judged according to their talents or Taming — 
the Injin like an Injin, and the white man like a white 
man. Some of their teachers say that if you’re struck on 
the cheek, it’s a duty to turn the other side of the face 
and take another blow, instead of seeking revenge, where- 
by I understand ” 

“ That’s enough ! ” shouted Hurry ; “that’s all I want to 
prove a man’s doctrine ! How long would it take to kick 
a man through the colony — in at one ind and out at the 
other — on that principle ? ” o 

“ Don’t mistake rruc, March,” returned the young hunt- 
er, with dignity ; “ I don’t understand by this any more 
than that it’s best to do this, if possible. Revenge is an Injin 
gift, and forgiveness a white man’s. That’s all. Over- 
look all you can is what’s meant ; and not revenge all you can. 

As for kicking. Master Hurry,” and Deerslayer’s sunburnt 
cheek flushed as he continued, “ into the colbny or out of 
the colony, that’s neither here nor there, seeing no one 
proposes it, and no one would be likely to put up with it. 
What I wish to say is, that a red-skin’s scalping don’t jus- 
tify a pale-face’s scalping.” 

6 


82 


7' HE J)EERSI,A YER. 


“ Do as you’re done by, Deerslayer ; that’s ever the 
Christian parson’s doctrine.” 

“No, Hurry, I’ve asked the Moravians consarning that; 
and its altogether different. ‘ Do as you would be done 
by,’ they tell me is the true saying, while men practise 
the false. They think all the colonies wrong that offer 
bounties for scalps, and believe no blessing will follow the 
measures. Above all things, they forbid revenge.” 

“ That for your Moravians ! ” cried March, snapping his 
fingers ; “ they’re the next thing to Quakers ; and if you’d 
believe all they tell you, not even a rat would be skinned, 
out of marcy. Who ever heard of marcy on a muskrat ! ” 

The disdainful manner of. Hurry prevented a reply, and 
he and the old man resumed the discussion of their plans 
in a more quiet and confidential manner. This confidence 
lasted until Judith appeared, bearing the simple but sa- 
vory supper. March observed, with a little surprise, that she 
placed the choicest bits before Deersla3’’er, and that in the lit- 
tle nameless attentions it was in her power to bestow, she 
quite obviously manifested a desire to let it be seen that 
she deemed him the honored guest. Accustomed, how- 
ever, to the waywardness and coquetry of -the beauty, this 
discovery gave him little concern, and he ate with an ap- 
petite that was in no degree disturbed by any moral 
causes. The easily digested food of the forests offering 
the fewest possible obstacles to the gratification of his 
great animal indulgence, Deerslayer, notwithstanding the 
hearty meal both had taken in the woods, was in no man- 
ner behind his companion in doing justice to the viands. • 

An hour later the scene had greatly changed. The lake 
w’as placid and glassy, but the gloom of the hour had 
succeeded to the soft twilight of a'summer evening, and 
all within the dark setting of the woods lay in the quiet 
repose of night. The forests gave up no song, or cry, or 
murmur, but looked down from the hills on the lovely 
basin they encircled in solemn stillness ; and the only 
sound that was audible was the regular dip of the sweeps, 
at which Hurry and Deerslayer lazily pushed, impelling the 
ark toward the castle. H utter had withdrawn to the stern 
of the scow in order to steer, but finding that the young 
men kept even strokes and held the desired course by 
their own skill, he permitted the oar to drag in the water, 


THE deerslaye:r. 


S3 

took a seat on the end of the vessel, and lighted his pipe. He 
had not been thus placed many minutes ere Hetty came 
stealthily, out of the cabin, or house, as they usually 
termed that part of the ark, and placed herself at his feet, 
on a little bench that she brought with her. As this 
movement was by no means unusual in this feeble-minded 
child, the old man paid no other, attention to it than to 
lay liis hand kindly on her head in an alfectionate and ap- 
proving manner — an act of grace that the girl received in 
meek silence. 

After, a pause of several minutes, Hetty began to sing. 
Her voice was low and tremulous, but it was earnest and 
solemn. The words and the time were of the simplest 
form, the first being a hymn that she had been taught by 
her mother, and the last one of those natural melodies that 
find favor with all classes, in every age, coming from and 
being addressed to the feelings. Hutter never listened to 
this simple strain without finding his heart and manner 
softened ; facts that his daughter well knew, and by which 
she had often profited, through the sort of holy instinct 
that enlightens the weak of mind, more especially in their 
aims toward good. 

Hetty’s low, sweet tones had not been raised many mo- 
ments when the dip of the oars ceased, and the holy strain 
arose singly on the breathing silence of the wilderness. 
As if she gathered courage with the theme, her powers 
appeared to increase as she proceeded ; and, though noth- 
ing vulgar or noisy mingled in her melody, its strength 
and melancholy tenderness grew on the ear, until the air 
was filled with this simple homage of a soul that seemed 
almost spotless. That, the men forward were not indiffer- 
ent to this touching interruption, was proved by their in- 
action ; nor did their oars again dip until the last of the 
sweet sounds had actually died among the remarkable 
shores, which, at that witching hour, would waft even the 
lowest modulations of the human voice more than a mile. 
Hutter was much affected ; for, rude as he was by early 
habits,, and even ruthless as he had got to be by long 
exposure to the practices of the wilderness, his nature was 
of that fearful mixture of good and evil that so generally 
enters into the moral composition of man. 

“You are sad to-night, child,” said the father, whose 


84 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


manner and language usually assumed some of the gentle- 
ness and elevation of the civilized life he had led in youth 
when he thus communed with this particular child ; “we 
have just escaped from enemies, and ought rather to re- 
joice." 

“You can never do it, father!" said Hetty, in a low, re- 
monstrating manner, taking his hard, knotty hand into 
both her own ; “you have talked long with Harry March ; 
but neither of you have the heart to do it ! " 

“ This is going beyond your means, foolish child ; you 
must have been naughty enough to have listened, or you 
could know nothing of our talk." 

‘‘Why should you and Hurry kill people — especially 
women and children ?" 

“ Peace, girl, peace ; we are at war, and must do to our 
enemies as our enemies would do to us." 

“That’s not it, father! I heard Deerslayer say how it 
was. You must do to your enemies as you wish your ene- 
mies would do to you. No man wishes his enemies to kill 
him." 

“ We kill our enemies in war, girl, lest they should kill 
us. One side or the other must begin ; and them that be- 
gin first are most apt to get the victory. You know noth- 
ing about these things, poor Hetty, and had best say noth- 
ing." 

“ yudith says it is wrong, father ; and Judith has sense, 
though I have none." 

“Jude understands better than to talk to me of these 
matters ; for she has sense, as you say, and knows I’ll not* 
bear it. Which would you prefer, Hetty : to have your 
scalp taken and sold to the French, or that we should kill 
our enemies and keep them from harming us ?" 

“ That’s not it, father ! Don’t kill them, nor let them 
kill us. Sell your skins, and get more, if you can ; but 
don’t sell human blood." 

“ Come, come, child ; let us talk of matters you under- 
stand. Are you not glad to see our old friend March back 
again ? You like Hurry, and must know that one day he 
may be your brother — if not something nearer." 

“ That can’t be, father," returned the girl, after a consid- 
erable pause ; “ Hurry has had one father and one mother : 
and people never have two.” 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


85 


“ So much for your weak mind, Hetty. When Jude mar- 
ries, her husband’s father will be her father, and her hus- 
band’s sister her sister. If she should marry Hurry, then 
he will be your. brother.” 

“ Judith will never have Hurry,” returned the girl, mildly 
but positively ; “Judith don’t like Hurry.” 

“ That’s more than you can know, Hetty. Harry March 
is the handsomest, and the strongest, and the boldest young 
man that ever visits the lake ; and as Jude is the greatest 
beauty, I don’t see why they shouldn’t come together. He 
has as much as promised that he will enter into this job 
with me on condition that I’ll consent.” 

Hetty began to move her body back and forth, and other- 
wise to express mental agitation, but she made no answer 
for more than a minute. Her father, accustomed to her 
manner, and suspecting no immediate cause of concern, 
continued to smoke with the apparent phlegm which would 
seem to belong to that particular species of enjoyment. 

“ Hurry is handsome, father,” said Hetty, with a simple 
emphasis, that she might have hesitated about using, had 
her mind been more alive to the inferences of others. 

“I told you so, child,” muttered old Hutter, without re- 
moving the pipe from between his teeth ; “ he’s the likeli- 
est youth in these parts, as Jude is the likeliest young 
woman I’ve met with since her poor mother was in her 
best days.” 

“Is it wicked to be ugly, father ? ” 

“ One might be guilty of worse things — but you’re by no 
means ugly, though not so comely as Jude.” 

“ Is Judith any happier for being so handsome ? ” 

“ She may be, child, and she may not be. But talk of 
other matters now, for you hardly understand these, poor 
Hetty. How do you like our new acquaintance. Deer- 
slayer ? ” 

“ He isn’t handsome, father. Hurry is far handsomer 
than Deerslayer.” 

“That’s true, but they say he is a noted hunter. His 
fame had reached me before I ever saw him, and I did hope 
he would prove to be as stout a warrior as he is dexterous 
with the deer. All men are not alike, howsoever, child, 
and it takes time, as I know by experience, to give a man 
a true wilderness heart.” 


86 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


“Have I got a wilderness heart, father? And Hurry — 
is //A heart true wilderness ?” 

“You sometimes ask queer questions, Hetty. Your heart 
is good, child, and fitter for the settlements than for the 
woods, while your reason is fitter for the woods than for 
the settlernents.” 

“ Why has Judith more reason than I, father ?” 

“Heaven help thee, child! this is more than I can an- 
swer. God gives sense, and appearance, and all these 
things, and he grants them as he seeth fit. Dost thou wish 
for more sense ? ” 

“Not I. The little I have troubles me, for when I think 
the hardest, then I feel the unhappiest. I don’t believe 
thinking is good for me, though I do wish I was as hand- 
some as Judith.” 

“Why so, poor child? Thy sister’s beauty may cause 
her trouble, as it caused her mother before her. It’s no ad- 
vantage, Hetty, to be’so marked for anything as to become 
an object of envy, or to be sought after more than others.” 

“ Mother was good if she was handsome,” returned the 
girl, the tears starting to her eyes, as usually happened 
when she adverted to her deceased parent. 

Old Hutter, if not equally affected, was moody and silent 
at this allusion to his wife. He continued smoking, with- 
out appearing disposed to make any answer, until his sim- 
ple-minded daughter repeated her remark in a way to show 
that she felt uneasiness lest he might be inclined to deny 
her assertion. Then he knocked the ashes out of his pipe, 
and laying his hand in a sort of rough kindness on the 
girl’s head, he made a reply. 

“Thy mother was too good for this world,” he said; 
“ though others might not think so. Her good looks 
did not befriend her, and you have no occasion to mourn 
that you are not as much like her as your sister. Think 
less of beauty, child, and more of your duty, and you’ll 
be as happy on this lake as you could be in the king’s 
palace.” 

“I know it, father, but Hurry says beauty is everything 
in a young woman.” 

Hutter made an ejaculation expressive of dissatisfaction, 
and went forward, passing through the house in order to 
do so. Hetty’s simple betrayal of her weakness in behalf 


THE DERRSLA YER. 


87 


of March gave him uneasiness on a subject concerning 
which he had never felt before, and he determined to 
come to an explanation at once wdth his visitor ; for di- 
rectness of speech and decision in conduct were two of 
the best qualities of this rude being, in whom the seeds of 
a better education seemed to be constantly struggling up- 
ward, to be choked by the fruits of a life in which his hard 
struggles for subsistence*and security had steeled his feel- 
ings and indurated his nature. When he reached the for- 
ward end of the scow, he manifested an intention to re- 
lieve D^erslayer at the oar, directing the latter to take his 
own place aft. By these changes, the old man and Hurry 
were again left alone, while the young hunter was trans- 
ferred to the other end of the ark. 

Hetty had disappeared when Deerslayer reached his 
new post, and for some little time he directed the course 
of the slow-moving craft by himself. It was not long, 
however, before Judith came out of the cabin, as if dis- 
posed to do the honors of the place, to a stranger engaged 
in the service of her family. Tlie starlight was sufficient 
to permit objects to be plainly distinguished when near at 
hand, .and the bright eyes of the girl had an expression of 
kindness in them, wlien they met tliose of the youth, that 
the latter was easily enabled to discover. Her rich hair 
shaded her spirited and yet soft countenance, even at that 
hour rendering it the more beautiful — as the rose is love- 
liest when reposing amid the shadows and contrasts of its 
native foliage. Little ceremony is used in the intercourse 
of the woods ; and Judith had acquired a readiness of ad- 
dress, by the admiration that she so generally excited, 
which, if it did not amount to forwardness, certainly in no 
degree lent to her charms the aid of that retiring modesty 
on which poets love to dwell. 

“ I thought I should have killed myself with laughing, 
Deerslayer,” the beauty abruptly but coquettishly com- 
menced, “ when I saw that Indian dive into the river ! He 
was a good-looking savage, too ” — the girl always dwelt on 
personal beauty as a sort of merit — “ and yet one couldn’t 
stop to consider whether his paint would stand water ! ” 

“And I thought they would have killed you Avith their 
we’pons, Judith,” returned Deerslayer; “it was an awful 
risk for a female to run in the face of a dozen Mingoes !” 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


&8 


“ Did that make you come out of the cabin, in spite of 
their rifles, too ? ” asked tlie girl, with more real interest 
than she should have cared to betray, though with an in- 
difference of manner that was the result of a good deal of 
practice united to native readiness. 

“ Men ar’n’t apt to see females in danger and not come 
to their assistance. Even a Mingo knows that.” 

This sentiment was uttered with as much simplicity of 
manner as of feeling, and Judith rewarded it with a smile 
so sweet that even Deerslayer, who had imbibed a preju- 
dice against the girl in consequence of Hurry’s suspicions 
of her levity, felt its charm, notwithstanding half its win- 
ning influence was lost in the feeble light. It at once 
created a sort of confidence between them, and the dis- 
course was continued on the part of the hunter without 
the lively consciousness of the character of this coquette 
of the wilderness with which it had certainly commenced. 

“ You are a man of deeds and not of words, I see plainly, 
Deerslayer,” continuecf the beauty, taking her seat near 
the spot where the other stood, “and I foresee we shall be 
very good friends. Hurry Harry has a tongue, and giant 
as he is, he talks more than he performs.” 

“ March is your fri’nd, Judith ; and fri’nds should be 
tender of each other when apart.” 

“We all know what Hurry’s friendship comes to ! Let 
him have his own way in everything, and he’s the best fel- 
low in the colony ; but ‘head him off,’ as you say of the 
deer, and he is master of everything near him but himself. 
Hurry is no favorite of mine, Deerslayer ; and I daresay, 
if the truth was known, and his conversation about me re- 
peated, it would be found he thinks no better of me than 
1 own I do of him.” 

The latter part of this speech was not uttered without 
uneasiness. Had the girl’s companion been more sophis- 
ticated, he might have observed the averted face, the man- 
ner in which the pretty little foot was agitated, and other 
signs that, for some unexplained reason, the opinions of 
March were not quite as much matter of indifference to 
her as she thought fit to pretend. Whether this was no 
more than the ordinary workings of female vanity, feeling 
keenly even when it affected not to feel at all, or whether 
it proceeded from that deep-seated consciousness of right 


'I'HK pEKRSLA YER. 


89 


;ind wrong which God himself has implanted in our 
breasts that wc may know good from evil, will be made more 
apparent to the reader as we proceed in the tale. Deer- 
slayer felt embarrassed. He well remembered the cruel 
imputations left by March’s distrust ; and while he did not 
wish to injure his associate’s suit by exciting resentment 
against him, his tongue was one that literally knew no 
guile. To answer without saying more or less than he 
wished was consequently a delicate duty. 

“March has his say of all things in Natur’, whether of 
fri’nd or foe,” slowly and cautiously rejoined the hunter. 
“ He’s one of them that speak as they feel while the 
tongue’s a-going, and that’s sometimes different from 
what they’d speak if they took time to consider. Give 
me a Delaware, Judith, for one that reflects and rumi- 
nates on his idees ! Inmity has made ’em thought- 
ful, and a loose tongue is no ricomrnend at their council- 
fires.” 

“ I dare say March’s tongue goes free enough when it 
gets on the subject of Judith Hutter and her sister,” said 
the girl, rousing herself as if in careless disdain. “ Young 
women’s good names are a pleasant matter of discourse 
with some that wouldn’t dare to be so open-mouthed if 
there was a brother in the way. Master March may find 
it pleasant to traduce us, but sooner or later he’ll re- 
pent ! ” 

“ Nay, Judith,, this is taking the matter up too much in 
’arnest. Hurry has never whispered a syllable ag’in’ the 
good name of Hetty, to begin with — — 

“ I see how it is — I see how it is,” impetuously inter- 
rupted Judith, “/am the one lie sees fit to scorch with 
his withering tongue ! Hetty, indeed ! poor Hetty ! ” 
she continued, her voice sinking into low, husky tones, 
that seemed nearly to stifle her in the utterance ; “ she is 
beyond and above his slanderous malice ! Poor Hetty ! 
If God has created her feeble-minded, the weakness lies 
•altogether on the side of errors of which she seems to 
know nothing. The earth never held a purer being than 
Hetty Hutter, Deerslayer ! ” 

“I can believe it — yes, I can believe that^ Judith, and I 
hope ’arnestly that the same can be said of her handsome 
sister.” 


90 


THE DEERSLA YEN. 


There was a soothing sincerity in the voice of Deer- 
slayer which touched the girl’s feelings ; nor did the al- 
lusion to her beauty lessen the effect with one who only 
knew too well the power of her personal charms. Never- 
theless, the still small voice of conscience was not hushed, 
and it prompted the answer which she made after giving 
herself time to reflect 

“ I dare say Hurry had some of his vile hints about the 
people of the garrisons,” she added. “ He knows they arc 
gentlemen, and can neyer forgive any one for being what 
he feels he can never become himself.” 

“ Not in the sense of a king’s officer, Judith, ‘sartainly, for 
March has no turn that a-way ; but in the sense of rea-lity, 
why may not a beaver-hunter be as respectable as a gov- 
ernor ? Since you speak of it yourself. I’ll not deny that 
he did complain of one as you being so much in the com- 
pany of scarlet coats and silken sashes. But ’twas jealousy 
that brought it out of him, and I do think that he mourned 
over his own thoughts as a mother would have mourned 
over her child.” 

Perhaps Deerslayer was not aware of the full meaning 
that his earnest language conveyed. It is certain that he 
did not see the color that crimsoned the whole of Judith’s 
fine face, nor detect the uncontrollable distress that imme- 
diately after changed its hue to a deathly paleness. A 
minute or two elapsed in profound stillness, the splash of 
the water seeming to occupy all the avenues of sound ; and 
then Judith arose and grasped the hand of the hunter, 
almost convulsively, with one of her own. 

“Deerslayer,” she said, hurriedly, “ I’m glad the-ice is 
broken between us. They say that sudden friendships 
lead to long enmities, but I do not believe it will turn out 
so with us. I know not how it is — but you are the first 
man I ever met who did not seem to wish to flatter — to wish 
my ruin — to be an enemy in disguise — nevermind; saynoth- 
ing to Hurry, and another time we’ll talk together again.” 

As the girl released her grasp she vanished in the house, • 
leaving the astonished young man standing at the steering- 
oar, as motionless as one of the pines on the hills. So ab- 
stracted, indeed, had his thoughts become, that he was 
hailed by flutter to keep the scow’s head in the right di- 
rection, before he remembered his actual situation. 


THE DEERS/,A YKR. 


91 


CHAPTER VI. 



“So spoke the apostate angel, though in pain, 

Vaunting aloud, but racked with deep despair ! ” — MiLTON. 


Shortly after the disappearance of Judith, a light south- 
erly air arose, and Hutter set a large square sail, that had 
once been flying top-sail of an Albany sloop, but which, 
having become threadbare in catching the breezes of Tap- 
pan, had been condemned and sold. He had a light tough 
spar of tamarack that he could raise on occasion, and, with 
a little contrivance, his duck was spread to the wind in a 
sufficiently professional manner. The effect on the ark 
was such as to supersede the necessity of rowing ; and in 
about two hours the castle was seen, in ^ the darkness, ris- 
ing out of the water, at the distance of a hundred yards. 
The sail was then lowered, and by slow degrees the scow 
drifted up to the building and was secured. 

No one had visited- the house since Hurry and his com- 
panion left it. The place was found in the quiet of mid- 
night, a sort of type of the solitude of a wilderness. As 
an enemy was known to be near, Hutter directed his 
daughters to abstain from the use of lights, luxuries in 
which they seldom indulged during the warm months, lest 
they might prove beacons to direct their foes where they 
might be found. 

“ In open daylight I shouldn’t fear a host of savages 
behind these stout logs, and they without any cover to skulk 
into,” added Hutter, when he had explained to his guests 
the reason why he forbade the use of lights; “for I’ve 
three or* four trusty weapons always loaded, and Kill-deer, 
in particular, is a piece that never misses. But it’s a dif- 
ferent thing at night. A canoe might get upon us unseen, 
in the dark ; and the savages have so many cunning ways 
of attacking, that I look upon it as bad enough to deal 
with ’em under a bright sun. I built this dwelling in or- 
der to have ’em at arm’s length, in case we should ever 
get to blows again. Some people think it’s too open and 


92 


THE DRERSLAVRR. 


exposed, but I’m for anchoring out here, clear of under- 
brush and thickets, as the surest means of making a safe 
berth.” . 

“You was once a sailor, they tell me, old Tom ?” said 
Hurry, in his abrupt manner, struck by one or two expres- 
sions that the other had just used, “and some people 
believe you could give us strange accounts of inimies and 
shipwrecks, if you’d a mind to come out with all you 
know.” 

“ There are people in this world. Hurry,” returned tlie 
other, evasively, “ who live on other men’s thoughts ; and 
some such often find their way into the woods. What I’ve 
been, or what I’ve seen in youth, is of less matter now 
than what the savages are. It’s of more account to find 
out what will happen in the next twenty-four hours than 
to talk over what happened twenty-four years since.” 

“That’s judgment, Deerslayer ; yes, that’s sound judg- 
ment. Here’s Judith and Hetty to take care of, to say 
nothing of our own top-knots ; and, for my part, I can 
sleep as well in the dark as I could under a noonday sun. 
To me it’s no great matter whether there is light or not to 
see to shut my eyes by.” 

As Deerslayer seldom thought it necessary to answer 
his companion’s peculiar vein of humor, and Hutter was 
evidently indisposed to dwell longer upon the subject, its 
discussion ceased with this remark. The latter had some- 
thing more on his mind, however, than recollections. His 
daughters had no sooner left them, with an expressed in- 
tention of going to bed, than he invited his two compan- 
ions to follow him again into the scow. Here the old man 
opened his project, keeping back the portion that he had 
reserved for execution by Hurry and himself. 

“The great object for people posted like ourselves is to 
command the water,” he commenced. “ So long as there 
is no other craft on the lake, a bark canoe is as good as a 
man-of-war, since the castle will not be easily taken by 
swimming. Now, there are but five canoes remaining in* 
these parts, two of which are mine and one is Hurry’s. 
These three we have with us here ; one being fastened in 
the canoe-dock beneath the house, and the other two be- 
ing alongside the scow. The other canoes are housed on 
the shore, in hollow logs, and the savages, who are such 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


93 


venomous enemies, will leave no likely place unexamined 
in the morning, if they’re serious in s’archof bounties ” 

“Now, friend Hutter,” interrupted Hurry, “the Indian 
don’t live that can find a canoe that is suitably wintered. 
I’ve done something at this business before now, and 
Deerslayer here knows that I am one that can hide a craft 
in such a way that I can’t find it myself.” 

“ V^ery true. Hurry,” put in the person to whom the ap- 
peal had been made, “ but you overlook the sarcumstance 
that if you couldn’t see the trail of the man who did the 
job, / could. I’m of Master flutter’s mind, that it’s far 
wiser to mistrust a savage’s ingenuity than to build any 
great expectation on his want of eyesight. If these two 
canoes can be got off to the castle, therefore, the sooner 
it’s done the better.” 

“Will you be of the party that’s to do it ?” demanded 
Hutter, in a way that showed that the proposal both sur- 
prised and pleased him. 

“Sartain. I’m ready to enlist in any enterprise that’s 
not ag’in’ a white man’s lawful gifts. Natur’ orders us to 
defend our lives, and the lives of others, too, when there’s 
occasion and opportunity. I’ll follow you. Floating Tom, 
* into the Mingo camp on such an arr’nd, and will strive to 
do my duty should we come to blows ; though, never hav- 
ing been tried in battle, I don’t like to promise more than 
I may be able to perform. We all know our wishes, but 
none know their might till put to the proof.” 

“That’s modest and suitable, lad,” exclaimed Hurry. 
“You’ve never yet heard the crack of an angry rifle ; and, 
let me tell you, ’tis as different from tiie persuasion of one 
of your venison-speechers as the laugh of Judith Hutter, 
in her best humor, is from the scolding of a Dutch house- 
keeper on the Mohawk. I don’t expect you’ll prove much 
of a warrior, Deerslayer, though your equal with tlie 
bucks and the does don’t exist in all these parts. As for 
the ra’al sarvice, however, you’ll turn out rather rearward, 
according to my consait.” 

“ We’ll see. Hurry, we’ll see,” returned the other meek- 
ly ; so far as human eye could discover, not at all disturbed 
by these expressed doubts concerning his conduct on a 
point on which men are sensitive, precisely in the degree 
that they feel the consciousness of demerit ; “ having never 


94 


THE DEER SLA VER. 


been tried, I’ll wait to know before I form any opinion 
myself ; and then there’ll be sartainty instead of bragging. 
I’ve heard of them that was valiant afore the fight, who 
did little in it ; and of them that waited to know their own 
tempers, and found that they weren’t as bad as some ex- 
pected, when put to the proof.” 

“ At any rate, we know you can use a paddle, young 
man,” said Hutter, “and that’s all we shall ask of you to- 
night. Let us waste no more time, but get into the canoe, 
and do in place of talking.” 

As Hutter led the way in the execution of his project, 
the boat was soon ready, with Hurry and Deerslayer at the 
paddles. Before the old man embarked himself, however, 
he held a conference of several minutes with Jud4th, enter- 
ing the house for that purpose ; then, returning, he took 
his place in the canoe, which left the side of the ark at the 
next instant. 

Had there been a temple reared to God, in that solitary 
wilderness, its clock would have told the hour of midnight 
as the party set forth on their expedition. The darkness 
had increased, though the night was still clear, and the 
light of the stars sufficed for all the purposes of the adven- 
turers. Hutter alone knew the places where the canoes 
were hid, and he' directed the course, while his two athletic 
companions raised and dipped their paddles with proper 
caution, lest the sound should be carried to the ears of 
their enemies, across that sheet of placid water, in the still- 
ness of deep night. But the bark was too light to require 
any extraordinary efforts, and skill supplying the place of 
strength, in about half an hour they were approaching the 
shore, at a point near a league from the castle. 

“ Lay on your paddles, men,” said Hutter, in a low voice, 
“and let us look about us for a moment. We must now 
be all eyes and ears, for these vermin have noses like 
bloodhounds.” 

The shores of the lake were examined closely, in order to 
discover any glimmering of light that might have been 
left in a camp ; and the men strained their eyes in the ob- 
scurity to see if some thread of smoke was not still stealing 
along the mountain-side, as it arose from the dying em- 
bers of a fire. Nothing unusual could be traced; and as 
the position was at some distance from the outlet, or the 


, THE DEEKSLAYER. 


95 


spot where the savages had been met, it was thought safe 
to land. The paddles were plied again, and the bows of 
the canoe ground upon the gravelly beach with a gentle 
motion, and a sound barely audible. Hutter and Hurry 
immediately landed, the former carrying his own and his 
friend’s rifle, leaving Deerslayer in charge of the canoe. 
The hollow log lay a little distance up the side of the 
mountain, and the old man led the way toward it, using so 
much caution as to stop at every third or fourth step, to 
listen if any tread betrayed the presence of a foe. The 
same death-like stillness, however, reigned on the midniglit 
scene, and the desired place was reached without an oc- 
currence to induce alarm. ' 

“ This is it,” whispered Hutter, laying a foot on tlie 
trunk of a fallen linden ; “ hand me the paddles first, and 
draw the boat out with care, for the wretches may have 
left it for a bait, after all.” 

“ Keep my rifle handy, butt tow’ard me, old fellow,” an- 
swered March. “If they attack me loaded, I shall want to 
unload the piece at ’em, at least. And feel if the pan is 
full.” 

“ All’s right,” muttered the other ; “move slow when you 
get your load, and let me lead the way.” 

The canoe was drawn out of the log with the utmost 
care, raised by Hurry to his shoulder, and the two began 
to return to the shore, moving but a step at a time, lest 
they should tumble dowm the steep declivity. The dis- 
tance was not great, but the descent was extremely diffi- 
cult ; and, toward the end of their little journey, Deer- 
slayer was obliged to land and meet them, in order to aid 
in lifting the canoe through the bushes. With his assist- 
ance the task was successfully accomplished, and the light 
craft soon floated by the side of the other canoe. This 
was no sooner done, than all three turned anxiously 
toward the forest and the mountain, expecting an enemy 
to break out of the one, or to come rushing down the 
other. Still the silence was unbroken, and they all em- 
barked with the caution that had been used "in coming 
ashore. 

Hutter now steered broad off toward the centre of the 
lake. Having got a sufficient distance from the shore, he 
cast his prize loose, knowing that it would drift slowly 


THE DEERSLA YEK. 


96 


up the lake before the light southerly air, and intending 
to find it on his return. Thus relieved of his tow, the old 
man held his way down the lake, steering toward the very 
point where Hurry had made his fruitless attempt on the 
life of the deer. As the distance from this point to the 
outlet was less than a mile, it was like entering an ene- 
my’s country ; and redoubled caution became necessary. 
They reached the extremity of the point, however, and 
landed in safety on the little gravelly beach already men- 
tioned. Unlike the last place at which they had gone 
ashore, here was no acclivity to ascend, the mountains 
looming up in the darkness quite a quarter of a mile 
farther west, leaving a margin of level ground between 
them and the strand. The point itself, though long and 
covered with tall trees, was nearly flat, and, for some dis- 
tance, only a few yards in width. Hutter and Hurry 
landed, as before, leaving their companion in charge of 
the boat. 

In this instance, the dead tree that contained the canoe 
of which they had come in quest, lay about half-way be- 
tween the extremity of the narrow slip of land and the 
place where it joined the main shore ; and, knowing that 
there was water so near him on his left, the old man led 
the way along the eastern side of the belt with some con- 
fidence, walking boldly, though still with caution. He 
had landed at the point expressly to get a glimpse into 
the bay, and to make certain that the coast was clear ; 
otherwise he would have come ashore directly abreast of 
the hollow tree. There was no difficulty in finding the 
latter, from which the canoe was drawn as before, and, in- 
stead of carrying it down to the place where Deerslayer 
lay, it was launched at the nearest favorable spot. As 
soon as it was in the water, Hurry entered it, and paddled 
round to the point, whither Hutter also proceeded, follow- 
ing the beach. As the three men had now in their pos- 
session all the boats on the lake, their confidence was 
greatly increased, and there was no longer the same fever- 
ish desire to quit the shore, or the same necessity for ex- 
treme caution. Their, position on the extremity of the 
long, narrow bit of land, added to the feeling of security, 
as it permitted an enemy to approach in only one direc- 
tion, that in their front, and under circumstances that 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


97 


would render discovery, with their habitual vigilance, 
almost certain. The three now landed together, and stood 
grouped in consultation on the gravelly point 

“We’ve fairly tree’d the scamps,” said Hurry, chuckling 
at their success ; “ if they wish to visit the castle, let ’em 
wade or swim I Old Tom, that idea of your’n, in burrow- 
ing out in the lake, was higli proof, and carries a fine 
bead. There be men who would think the land safer than 
the water ; but, after all, reiison shows it isn’t ; the beaver, 
and 2'ats, and other I’arned creator’s taking to the last 
when hard pressed. I call our position now, intrenched, 
and set the Canadas at defiance.” 

“ Let us paddle along this south shore,” said Hutter, 
■“ and see if there’s no sign of an encampment ; but, first, 
let me have a better look into the bay, for no one has been 
far enough round the inner shore of the point to make 
sure of that quarter yet.” 

As Hutter ceased speaking, all three moved in the direc- 
tion he had named. Scarce had they fairly opened the 
bottom of the bay, when a general start proi’ed that their 
eyes had lighted on a common object at the same instant. 
It was no more than a dying brand, giving out its flicker- 
ing and failing light ; but at that hour, and in that place, 
it was at once as conspicuous as “a good deed in a naughty 
world.” There was not a shadow of doubt that this fire 
had been kindled at an encampment of the Indians. The 
situation, sheltered from observation on all sides but one, 
and even on that except for a very short distance, proved 
that more care had been taken to conceal the spot than 
would be used for ordinary purposes ; and Hutter, who 
knew that a spring was near at hand, as well as one of the 
best fishing-stations on the lake, immediately inferred that 
this encampment contained the women and children of 
the party. 

“ That’s not a warrior’s encampment,” he growled to 
Hurry ; “and there’s bounty enough sleeping round tliat 
fire to make a heavy division of head-money. Send the 
lad to the canoes, for there’ll come no good of him in such 
an onset, and let us take the matter in hand at once, like 
men.” 

“ There's judgment in your notion, old Tom, and I like 
it to the backbone. Deerslayer, do you get into the canoe, 
7 


98 


THE DEER SLA YER.- 


lad, and paddle off into the lake with the spare one, and 
set it adrift, as we did with the other ; after wliich yon can 
lloat along-shore, as near as you can get to the head of 
the bay, keeping outside the point, howsever, and outside 
the rushes, too. You can hear us when we want you ; and 
if tliere’s any. delay. I’ll call like a loon — yes, that’ll do it 
— the call of a loon shall be the signal. If you hear rifles, 
and feel like sogering, why, you may close in, and see if 
you can make the same hand with the savages that you do 
with the deer.” 

“ If my wishes could be followed, this matter would not 
be undertaken, Hurry ” 

“Quite true — nobody denied it, boy; but- your wishes 
can't be followed, and that inds the matter. So just canoe 
yourself off into the middle of the lake, and by the time 
you get back there’ll be movements in that camp ! ”, 

The young man set about complying with great reluc- 
tance and a heavy heart. He knew the prejudices of the 
frontier-men too well, howeA^er, to attempt a remonstrance. 
The latter, indeed, under the circumstances, might prove 
dangerous, as it would certainly prove useless. He paddled 
the canoe, therefore, silently, and with the former caution, 
to a spot near the centre of the placid sheet of Avater, and 
set the boat just recovered adrift, to float tOAvard the castle, 
before the light southerly air. This expedient had been 
adopted, in both cases, under the certainty that the drift 
could not carry the light barks more tlian a league or tAvo, 
before the return of light, when they might easily be over- 
taken. In order to prevent any Avandering saA'age from 
using them, by SAvimming off and getting possession, a 
possible, but scarcely a probable event, all the paddles 
Avere retained. ^ 

No sooner had he set the recovered canoe adrift, than 
Deerslayer turned the boAA^s of his OAvn tOAvard the point 
on the shore that had been indicated by Hurry. So light 
Avas the moA^ement of the little craft, and so 'steady the 
SAveep of its master’s arm, that ten minutes had not elapsed 
ere it was again approaching the land, having in that brief 
time, passed over fully half a mile of distance. As soon 
as Deerslayer’s eye caught a glimpse of the rushes, of 
Avhich there Avere many groAving in the Avater a hundred 
feet from the shore, he arrested the motion of the canoe, 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


99 


and anchored his boat by holding fast to the delicate but 
tenacious stem of one of the drooping plants. Here he 
remained, awaiting, with an intensity of suspense that can 
be easily imagined, the result of the hazardous enterprise. 

It would be difficult to convey to the minds of those 
who have never witnessed it, the sublimity that character- 
izes the silence of a solitude as deep as that which now 
reigned over the Glimmerglass. In the present instance, 
this sublimity was increased by the gloom of niglit, which 
threw its shadowy and fantastic forms around the lake, 
the forest, and the hills. It is not easy, indeed, to con- 
ceive of any place more favorable to heighten these natural 
impressions than that Deerslayer now occupied. The size 
of the lake brought all within the reach of human senses, 
while it displayed so much of the imposing scene at a single 
view, giving up, as it might be, at a glance, a sufficiency 
to produce the deepest impressions. As has been said, 
this was the first lake Deerslayer had ever seen. Hitherto, 
his experience had been limited to the courses of rivers 
and smaller streams, and never before had he seen so much 
of that wilderness which he so well loved, spread before 
his gaze. Accustomed to the forest, however, his mind 
was capable of portraying all its hidden mysteries, as he 
looked upon its leafy surface. This was also the first time 
he had been on a trail where human lives depended on the 
issue. His ears had often drunk in the tradition of fron- 
tier warfare, but he had never yet been confronted with an 
enemy. 

The reader will readily understand, therefore, how in- 
tense must have been the expectation of the young man, 
as he sat in his solitary canoe, endeavoring to catch the 
smallest sound that might denote the course of things on 
shore. His training had been perfect, so far as theory 
could go, and his self-possession, notwithstanding the high 
excitement, that was the fruit of novelty, would have done 
credit to a veteran. The visible evidences of the existence 
of the camp, or of the fire, could not be detected from the 
spot where the canoe lay, and he was compelled to depend 
on the sense of hearing alone. He did not feel impatient, 
for the lessons he had heard taught him the virtue of pa- 
tience, and, most of all, inculcated the necessity of wari- 
ness in conducting any covert assault on the Indians. 


roo 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


Once he thought he heard the cracking of a dried twig, 
but expectation was so intense it might mislead him. In 
this manner minute after minute passed, until the whole 
time since he left his companions was extended to quite 
an hour. Deerslayer knew not whether to rejoice in or to 
mourn over this cautious delay, for, if it argued security 
to his associates, it foretold destruction to the feeble and 
innocent. 

It might have been an hour and a half after his com- 
panions and he had parted, wlien Deerslayer was aroused 
by a sound that filled him equally with concern and sur- 
prise. The quavering call of a loon arose from the oppo- 
site side of the lake, evidently at no great distance from 
its outlet. There was no mistaking the note of this bird, 
which is so familiar to all who know the sounds of the 
American lakes. Shrill, tremulous, loud, and sufficiently 
prolonged, it seems the very cry of warning. It is often 
raised, also, at night — an exception to the habits of most 
of the other feathered inmates of the wilderness ; a cir- 
cumstance which had induced Hurry to select it as his 
own signal. There had been sufficient time, certainly, for 
the two adventurers to make their way by land, from the 
point where they had been left to that whence the call 
had come, but it was not probable that they would adopt 
such a course. Had the camp been deserted, they would 
have summoned Deerslayer to the shore, and, did it prove 
to be peopled, there could be no sufficient motive for 
circling it, in order to re-embark at so great a distance. 
Should he obey the signal, and be drawn away from the 
landing, the lives of those who depended on him might be 
the forfeit ; and, should he neglect the call, on the suppo- 
sition that it had been really made, the consequences 
might be equally disastrous, though from a different cause. 
In this indecision he waited, trusting that the call, whether 
feigned or natural, would be speedily renewed Nor was 
he mistaken. A very few minutes elapsed before the same 
shrill, warning cry was repeated, and from the same part 
of the lake. This time, being on the alert, his senses were 
not deceived. Although he had often heard admirable 
imitations of this bird, and was no mean adept himself in 
raising its notes, he felt satisfied that Hurry, to whose 
efforts in that way he had attended, could never so com- 


rriK DEERSLA YER. 


roi 


pletcly and closely follow nature. He determined, there- 
fore, to disregard that cry, and to wait for one less perfect 
and nearer at hand. 

Deerslayer had hardly come to this determination, when 
the profound stillness of the night and solitude was broken 
by a cry so startling, as to drive all recollection of the 
more melancholy call of the loon from the listener’s mind. 
It was a shriek of agony, that came either from one of the 
female sex, or from a boy so young as not yet to have at- 
tained a manly voice. This appeal could not be mistaken. 
Heart-rending terror — if not writhing agony — was in the 
sounds, and the anguish that had awakened them was as 
sudden as it was fearful. The young man released his hold 
of the rush, and dashed his paddle into the water ; to do, 
he knew not what — to steer, he knew not whither.- A very 
few moments, however, removed his indecision. The 
breaking of branches, the cracking of dried sticks, and the 
fall of feet were distinctly audible ; the sounds appearing 
to approach the water, though in a direction that led di- 
agonally toward the shore, and a little farther north than 
the spot that Deerslayer had been ordered to keep near. 
Following this clue, the young man urged the canoe ahead, 
paying but little attention to the manner in which he might 
betray its presence. He had reached a part of the shore 
where its immediate bank was tolerably high and quite 
steep. Men were evidently threshing through the bushes 
and trees on the summit of this bank, following the line 
of the shore, as if those who fled sought a favorable place 
for descending. Just at this instant five or six rifles flashed, 
and the opposite hills gave back as usual the sharp reports 
in prolonged, rolling echoes. One or two shrieks, like 
those which escape the bravest when suddenly overcome 
by unexpected anguish and alarm, followed ; and then the 
threshing among the bushes was renewed, in away to show 
that man was grappling with man. 

“Slippery devil!” shouted Hurry, with the fury of 
disappointment — “his skin’s greased! I sha’n’t grapple! 
Take that for your cunning ! ” 

The words were followed by the fall of some heavy ob- 
ject among the smaller trees that fringed the bank, appear- 
ing to Deerslayer as if his gigantic associate had hurled an 
enemy from him in this unceremonious manner. Again 


102 


riTK D ERRS LA YER. 


the flight and pursuit was renewed, and then the young 
man saw a human form break down the hill, and rush sev- 
eral yards into the water. At this critical moment the 
canoe was just near enough to the spot to allow this move- 
ment, which was accompanied by no little noise, to be 
seen ; and feeling that there he must take in his compan- 
ion, if anywhere, Deerslayer urged the canoe forward to 
the rescue. His paddle had not been raised twice, when 
the voice of Hurry was heard, filling the air with impre- 
cations, and he rolled on the narrow beach, literally loaded 
down with enemies. While prostrate, and almost smoth- 
ered wdth his foes, the athletic frontier-man gave his loon- 
call, in a manner that would have excited laughter under 
circumstances less terrific. The figure in the water seemed 
suddenly to repent his own flight, and rushed to the shore 
to aid his companion, but was met and immediately over- 
powered by half a dozen fresh pursuers, who just then 
came leaping down the bank. 

“ Let up, you painted riptyles — let up ! ” cried Hurry, 
too hard pressed to be particular about the terms he used ; 
“ isn’t it enough that I am withed like a saw-log that ye 
must choke too ! ” 

This speech satisfied Deerslayer tliat his friends were 
prisoners, and that to land would be to share their fate. 
He was already within a hundred feet of the shore, when 
a few timely strokes of the paddle not only arrested his 
advance, but forced him off to six or eight times that dis- 
tance from his enemies. Luckily for him, all of the In- 
dians had dropped their rifles in the pursuit, or this retreat 
might not have been effected with impunity ; though no 
one had noted the canoe in the first confusion of the niHce. 

“ Keep off the land, lad,” called out Hutter ; “ the girls 
depend only on you, now ; you will want all your caution ^ 
to escape these savages. Keep off, and God prosper you, 
as you aid my children ! ” 

There was little sympathy in general between Hutter 
and the young man, but the bodily and mental anguish 
with which this appeal was made served at the moment to 
conceal from the latter the former’s faults. He saw only 
the father in lus sufferings, and resolved at once to give a 
pledge of fidelity to his interests, and to be faithful to his 
word. 


THE. DEERSLA YER. 


103 


“ Put your heart at ease, Master Hutter,” he called out ; 
“ the gals shall be looked to, as well as the castle. The 
inimy has got the shore, 'tis no use to deny, but he hasn’t 
got the water. Proyidence has the charge of all, and no 
one can say wdiat will come of it ; but if good-will can 
sarye you and your’n, depend on that much. INly cx- 
per’ence is small, but my will is good.” 

‘‘Ay — ay, Deerslayer,” returned Hurry in his stento- 
rian A'oice, which was losing some of its heartiness, not- 
withstanding — “ay, ay, Deerslayer, yow'mean well enough, 
but what can you da 'i You’re no great matter in the best 
of times, and such a person is not likely to turn out a 
miracle in the'worst. If there’s one savage on this lake- 
shore there’s forty, and that’s an army you ar’n’t the man 
to overcome. The best way, in my judgment, will be to 
make a straight course to the castle ; get the gals into the 
canoe, with a few eatables ; then strike off for the corner 
of the lake where we came in, and take the best trail for 
the Mohawk. These devils won’t know where to look for 
you for some hours, and if they did, and went off liot in 
the pursuit, they must turn either the foot or the head of 
the lake to get at you. That’s my judgment in the matter ; 
and if old Tom here wishes to make hisTast will and testa- 
ment in a manner favorable to his darters, he’ll say the 
same.” 

“’Twill never do, young man,” rejoined Hutter. “ The- 
enemy has scouts out at this moment, looking for canoes, 
and you’ll be seen and taken. Trust to the castle ; and, 
above all things, keep clear of the land. Hold out a week, 
and parties from the garrisons will drive the savages off.” 

“’Twon’t be four-and-twenty hours, old fellow, afore 
these foxes will be rafting off to storm your castle,” in- 
terrupted Huriy, with more of the heat of argument than 
might be expected from a man who was bound and a cap- 
tive, and about whom nothing could be called free but 
his opinions and his tongue. “Your advice has a stout 
sound, but it will have a fatal tarmination. If you or I 
was in the house, we might hold out a few days, but re- 
member that this lad has never seen an inimy afore to- 
night, and is what you yourself called settlement-con- 
scienced ; though, for my part, I think the consciences in 
the settlements pretty much the same as they are out here 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


lo4 

in the woods. These savages are making signs, Deer- 
slayer, for me to encourage you to come ashore with the 
canoe ; but that’ll never do, as it’s ag’in reason and natur’. 
As for old Tom and myself, whether they’ll scalp us to- 
night, keep us for the torture by fire, or carry us to Can- 
ada, is more than any one knows but the devil that ad- 
vises them how to act. I’ve such a big and bushy head 
that it’s quite likely they’ll indivor to get two scalps off 
it, for the bounty is a tempting thing, or old Tom and I 
wouldn’t be in this scrape. Ay — there they go with their 
signs ag’in, but if I advise you to land may they eat me as 
well as roast me ! No, no, Deerslayer — do you keep off 
where you are, and after daylight, on no account come 
within two hundred yards ” 

This injunction of Hurry’s was stopped by a hand being 
rudely slapped against his mouth, the certain sign that 
some one in the party sufficiently understood English to 
have at length detected the drift of his discourse. Imme- 
diately after, the whole group entered the forest, Hutter 
and Hurry apparently making no resistance to the move- 
ment. Just as the sounds of the cracking bushes were 
ceasing, however, the voice of the father was again heard. 

“ As you’re true to my children, God prosper you, young 
man!” were the words that reached Deerslayer’s ears; 
after which he found himself left to f(dlow the dictates of 
-his own discretion. 

Several minutes elapsed in death-like stillness, when 
the party on the shore had disappeared in the woods. 
Owing to the distance, rather more than two hiindred 
yards, and the obscurity, Deerslayer had been able barely 
to distinguish the group, and to see it retiring; but even 
this dim connection with human forms gave an animation 
to the scene that was strongly in contrast to the absolute 
solitude that remained. Although the young man leaned 
forward to listen, holding his breath and condensing every 
faculty in the single sense of hearing, not another sound 
reached his ears to denote the vicinity of human beings. 
It seemed as if a silence that had never been broken 
reigned on the spot again ; and for an instant, even that 
piercing shriek which had so lately broken the stillness of 
the forest, or the execrations of March, would have been 
a relief to the feeling of desertion to which it gave rise. 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


105 

This paralysis of mind and body, however, could not 
last long in one constituted mentally and physically like 
Deerslayer. Dropping his paddle into the water, he turned 
the head of tlie canoe and proceeded slowly, as one who 
thinks intently, toward the centre of the lake. When he 
believed himself to have reached a point in a line with 
that where he had set the last canoe adrift, he changed his, 
direction northward, keeping tlie light air as nearly on his 
back as possible. After paddling a quarter of a mile in 
this direction, a dark object became visible on the lake, a 
little to the right ; and, turning on one side for the pur- 
,pose, he had soon secured his lost prize to his own boat. 
Deerslayer now examined the heavens, the course of the 
air, and the two canoes. Finding nothing in either to in- 
duce a change of plan, he laid down and prepared to catch 
a few hours’ sleep, that the morrow might find him equal 
to its exigencies. 

Although the hardy and the tired sleep profoundly, even 
in scenes of danger, it was some time before Deerslayer 
lost his recollection. His mind dwelt on what had passed, 
and his half-conscious faculties kept figuring the events of 
the night in a sort of waking dream. Suddenly he was 
up and alert, he fancied he heard the preconcerted signal 
of Hurry summoning him to the shore. But it was all as 
still as a grave again. The canoes were slowly drifting 
northward, the thoughtful stars were glimmering in their 
mild glory over his head, and the forest-bound sheet of 
water lay embedded between its mountains, as calm and 
melancholy as if never troubled by the winds, or bright- 
ened by a noonday sun. Once more the loon raised his 
tremulous cry, near the foot of the lake, and the mystery 
of the alarm was explained. Deerslayer adjusted his 
hard pillow, stretched his form in the bottom of the ca- 
noe, and slept. 


io6 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


CHAPTER VII. 

** Clear, placid Leman ! Thy contrasted lake, 

With the wide world I dwelt in, is a thing 

Which warns me, with its stillness, to forsake 

Earth’s troubled waters for a purer spring. * 

This quiet sail is as a noiseless wing 

To waft me from destruction : once I loved 

Torn ocean’s roar, but thy soft murmuring 

Sounds sweet as if a sister’s voice reproved. 

That I with stern delights should e’er have been so 
moved. ” — Byron. 

Day had fairly dawned before the young man, whom we 
have left in the situation described in the last chapter, 
again opened his eyes. This was no sooner done, than he 
started up, and looked about him with the eagerness of 
one who suddenly felt the importance of accurately ascer- 
taining his precise position. His rest had been deep and 
undisturbed ; and when he awoke, it was with a clearness 
of intellect and a readiness of resources that were much 
needed at that particular moment. The sun had not yet 
risen, it is true, but the vault of heaven was rich with the 
winning softness that “brings and shuts the day,” while 
the whole air was filled with the carols of birds, the 
hymns of the feathered tribe. These sounds first told 
DeersJayer the risks he ran. The air, for wind it could scarce 
be called, was still light, it is true, but it had increased a 
little in the course of the night, and as the canoes were 
mere feathers on the water, they had drifted twice the ex- 
pected distance ; and, what was still more dangerous, had 
approached so near the base of the mountain that here 1 
rose precipitously from the eastern shore, as to render the 
carols of the birds plainly audible. This was not the 
worst. The third canoe had taken the same direction, and 
was slowly drifting toward a point where it must inevit- 
ably touch, unless turned aside by a shift of wind, or hu- 
man hands. In other respects nothing presented itself to 
attract attention, or to awaken alarm. The castle stood 
on its shoal, nearly abreast of the canoes, for the drift 
had amounted to miles in the course of the night, and the 


THE EE EE SLA YER. 


107 


ark lay fastened to its piles, as both had been left so many 
hours before. 

As a matter of course, Deerslayer’s attention was first 
given to the canoe ahead. It was already quite near the 
point, and a very few strokes of the paddle sufficed to tell 
him that it must touch before he could possibly overtake 
it. Just at this moment, too, the wind inopportunely fresh- 
ened, rendering the drift of the light craft much more rapid 
and certain. Feeling the impossibility of preventing a con- 
tact with the land, the young man wisely determined not 
to heat himself with unnecessary exertions ; but first look- 
ing to the priming of his piece, he proceeded slowly and 
warily toward the point, taking care to make a little cir- 
cuit, that he might be exposed only on one side as he ap- 
proached. 

The canoe adrift, being directed by no such intelligence, 
pursued its proper way, and grounded on a small sunken 
rock at the distance of three or four yards from the shore. 
Just at that moment Deerslayer had got abreast of the point, 
and turned the bows of his own boat to the land, first casting 
loose his tow, that his movements might be unencumbered. 
The canoe hung an instant on the rock ; then it rose a 
hair’s-breadth on an almost imperceptible swell of the 
water, swung round, floated clear, and reached the strand. 
All this the young man noted, but it neither quickened his 
pulses nor hastened his hand. If any one had been lying 
in wait for the arrival of the waif, he must be seen, and the 
utmost caution in approaching the shore became indis- 
pensable ; if no one was in ambush, hurry was unnecessary. 
The point being nearly diagonally opposite to the Indian 
encampment, he hoped the last, though the former was not 
only possible, but probable ; for the savages were prompt 
in adopting all the expedients of their particular modes of 
warfare, and quite likely had many scouts searching the 
shores for crafts to cawy them off to the castle. As a 
glance at ihe lake from any height or projection would ex- 
pose the smallest object on its surface, there was little hope 
that either of the canoes could pass unseen ; and Indian 
sagacity needed no instruction to tell which way a boat or 
a log would drift when the direction of the wind was known. 
As Deerslayer drew nearer and nearer to the land, the stroke 
of liis paddle grew slower, his eye became more watchful. 


io8 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


and his ears and nostrils almost dilated with the effort to 
detect any lurking danger. ’Twas a trying moment for a 
novice, nor was there the encouragement which even the 
timid sometimes feel when conscious of being observed and 
commended. He was entirely alone, thrown on his own 
resources, and was cheered by no friendly eye, emboldened 
by no encouraging voice. Notwithstanding all these cir- 
cumstances, the most experienced veteran in forest warfare 
could not have behaved better. Equally free from reck- 
lessness and hesitation, his advance was marked by a sort 
of philosophical prudence that appeared to render him 
superior to all motives but- those which were best calcu- 
lated to effect his purpose. Such was the commencement 
of a career in forest exploits that afterward rendered this 
man, in his way, and under the limits of his habits and op- 
portunities, as renowned as many a hero whose name has 
adorned the pages of works more celebrated than legends 
simple as ours can ever become. 

When about a hundred yards from the shore, Deerslayer 
rose in the canoe, gave three or four vigorous strokes with 
the paddle, sufficient of themselves to impel the bark to 
land, and then, quickly laying aside the instrument of labor, 
he seized that of war. He was in the very act of raising 
the rifle, when a sharp report was followed by the buzz of 
a bullet that passed so near his body as to cause him in- 
voluntarily to start. The next instant Deerslayer staggered, 
and fell his whole length in the bottom of the canoe. A 
yell — it came from a single voice — followed, and an Indian 
leaped from the bushes upon the open area of the point, 
bounding toward the canoe. This was the moment the 
young man desired. He rose on the instant and levelled 
his own rifle at his uncovered foe ; but his finger hesitated 
about pulling the trigger on one whom he held at such a 
disadvantage. This little delay probably saved the life of 
the Indian, who bounded back into the cover as SAviftly as 
he had broken out of it. In the meantime Deerslayer had 
been swiftly approaching the land, and his own canoe 
reached the point just as his enemy disappeared. As its 
movements had not been directed, it touched the shore a 
few yards from the other boat ; and, though the rifle of his 
foe had to be loaded, there was not time to secure the prize 
and to carry it beyond danger before he would be exposed 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


109 


to another shot Under the circumstances, therefore, he 
did not pause an instant, but dashed into the woods and 
sought a cover. 

On the immediate point there was a small open area, 
partly in native grass, and partly beach, but a dense fringe 
of bushes lined its upper side. This narrow belt of dwarf 
vegetation passed, one issued immediately into the high 
and gloomy vaults of the forest. The land was tolerably 
level for«a few hundred feet, and then it rose precipitously 
in a mountain-side. The trees were tall, large, and so free 
from underbrush, that they resembled vast columns, ir- 
regularly scattered, upholding a dome of leaves. Although 
they stood tolerably close together for their ages and size, 
the eye could penetrate to considerable distances ; and 
bodies of men, even, might have engaged beneath their 
cover with concert and intelligence, 

Deerslayer knew that his adversary must be employed 
in reloading, unless he had fled. The former proved to be 
the case, for the young man had no sooner placed himself 
behind a tree, than he caught a glimpse of the arm of the 
Indian, his body being concealed by an oak, in the very 
act of forcing the leathered bullet home. Nothing would 
have been easier than to spring forward and decide the 
affair by a close assault on his unprepared foe ; but ev^ery 
feeling of Deerslayer revolted at such a step, although his 
own life had just been attempted from a cover. He was 
yet unpractised in the ruthless expedients of savage war- 
fare, of which he knew nothing except by tradition and 
theory, and it struck him as an unfair advantage to assail 
an unarmed foe. His color had heightened, his eye 
frowned, his lips were compressed, and all his energies 
were collected and ready ; but, instead of advancing to fire, 
he dropped his rifle to the usual position of a sportsman 
in readiness to catch his aim, and muttered to himself, un- 
conscious that he was speaking : 

“No, no — that maybe red-skin warfare, but it’s not a 
Christian’s gift. Let the miscreant charge, and then we’ll 
take it out like men ; for the canoe he ?nust not, and shall 
not have. No, no ; let him have time to load, and God 
will take care of the right ! ” 

All this time the Indian had been so intent on his own 
movements, that he was even ignorant that his enemy was 


no 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


in the woods. His only apprehension was, that the canoe 
would be recovered and carried away before he might be 
in readiness to prevent it. He had sought the cover from 
habit, but was within a few feet of the fringe of bushes, 
and could be at the margin of the forest in readiness to 
fire in a moment. The distance between him and his enemy 
was about fifty yards, and the trees were' so arranged by 
nature that the line of sight was not interrupted except 
by the particular trees behind which each party stood. 

His rifle was no sooner loaded than the savage glanced 
around him, and advanced incautiously as regarded the 
real, but stealthily as respected the fancied position of his 
enemy, until he was fairly exposed. Then Deerslayer 
stepped from behind his own cover, and hailed him. 

“ This a-way, red-skin ; this a-way if you’re looking for 
me,” he called out. “I’m young in war, but not so yoiTng 
as to stand on an open beach to be shot down like an owl 
by daylight. It rests on yourself whether it’s peace or war 
atween us ; for my gifts are white gifts, and I’m not one 
of them that thinks it valiant to slay human mortals, singly, 
in the woods.” 

The savage was a good deal startled by this sudden dis- 
covery of the danger he ran. He had a little knowledge 
of English, however, and caught the drift of the other’s 
meaning. He was also too well schooled to betray, alarm, 
but, dropping the butt of his rifle to the earth with an air 
of confidence, he made a gesture of lofty courtesy. All 
this was done with the ease and self-possession of one ac- 
customed to consider no man his superior. In the midst 
of this consummate acting, however, the volcano that raged 
within caused his eyes to glare and his nostrils to dilate 
like those of some wild beast that is suddenly prevented 
from taking the fatal leap. 

“Two canoe,” he said, in the deep, guttural tones of his 
race, holding up the number of fingers he mentioned by 
way of preventing mistakes : “one for you — one for me.” 

“No, no, Mingo, that will never do. You own neither, 
and neither shall you have, as long as I can prevent it. I 
know it’s Avar atween your people and mine, but that’s no 
reason why human mortals should slay each other, like 
savage creatur’s that meet in the Avoods ; go your' AA’ay, 
then^ and leaA^e me to go mine. The world is large enough 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


Ill 


for us both, and when we meet fairly in battle, why, the 
Lord will order the fate of each of us.” 

“ Good ! ” exclaimed the Indian ; “ my brother mission- 
ary — great talk ; all about Manitou.” 

“ Not so— not so, warrior. I’m not good enough for the 
Moravians, and am too good for most of the otlier vaga- 
bonds that preach about in the woods. No, no. I’m only 
a hunter as yet, though afore the peace is made; ’tis like 
enough there’ll be occasion to strike a blow at some of 
your people. Still, I wish it to be done in fair fight, and 
not in a quarrel about the ownership of a miserable, 
canoe. 

“ Good ! My brother very young — but he very wise. 
Little warrior — great talker. Chief, sometimes, in coun- 
cil.” 

“ I don’t know this, nor do I say it. Injin,” returned 
Deerslayer, coloring a little at the ill-concealed sarcasm of 
the other’s manner ; “ I look forward to a life in the 
woods, and I only hope it maybe a peaceable one. All 
young men must go on the war-path, when there’s occa- 
sion, but war isn’t needfully massacre. I’ve seen enough 
of the last, this very night, to know that Providence frowns 
on it, and now I invite you to go your own way, while I 
go mine, and hope that we may part fri’nds.” 

“ Good ! My brother has two scalp — gray hair under 
t’other. Old wisdom — young tongue.” 

Here the savage advanced with confidence, his hand 
extended, his face smiling, and his whole bearing denot- 
ing amity and respect. Deerslayer met his offered friend- 
ship in a proper spirit, and they shook hands cordially, 
each endeavoring to assure the other of his sincerity and 
desire to be at peace. 

“All hav’-e his own,” said the Indian ; “ my canoe, mine ; 
your canoe, your’n. Go look ; if your’n, you keep ; if 
mine, I keep.” 

That’s just, red-skin ; though you must be wrong in 
thinking the canoe your property. Howsever, seein’ is 
believin’, and we’ll go down to the shore, where you may 
look with your own eyes ; for it’s likely you’ll object to 
trustin’ altogether to mine.” 

The Indian uttered his favorite exclamation of “ Good ! ” 
and then thev walked, side by side, toward the shore, 

\ 


1 12 THE DEEkSLA YER. 

There was no apparent distrust in the manner of either, 
the Indian moving in advance, as if he wished to show his 
companion that he did not fear turning his back to him. 

As they reached the open ground, the former pointed to- 
ward Deerslayer’s boat and said, emphatically : 

“No mine — pale-face canoe. This red man’s. No want 
other man’s canoe — want his own.” 

“You’re wrong, red-skin, you’re altogether wrong. This 
canoe w^as left in old Hatter’s keeping, and is his’n accord- 
ing to all law, red or white, till its owner comes to claim 
. it. Here’s the seats and stitching of the bark to speak 
for themselves. No man ever know’d an Injin to turn off 
such work.” 

“ Good ! My brother little ole — big wisdom. Injin no 
make him. White man’s work.” 

“ I’m glad you think so, for holding out to the contrary 
might have made ill blood atween us, every one having a 
right to take possession of his own. I’ll just shove the 
canoe out of reach of dispute at once, as the quickest way 
of settling difficulties.” 

- While Deerslayer was speaking he put a foot against 
the end of the light boat, and, giving a vigorous shov^e, he 
sent it out into the lake a hundred feet or more, where, 
taking the true current, it would necessarily iloat past the 
point, and be in no further danger of coming ashore. The 
savage started at tins ready and decided expedient, and 
his companion saw that he cast a hurried and fierce glance ' 
at his own canoe, or that which contained the paddles. 
The change of manner, however, was but momentary, and 
then the Iroquois resumed his air of friendliness and a 
smile of satisfaction. 

“Good!”* he repeated, with stronger emphasis than 
ever. “Young head, old mind. Know how to settle quar- 
rel. Farewell, brother. He go to house in water — musk- 
rat house — Injin go to camp ; tell chiefs no find canoe.” 

Deerslayer was not sorry to hear this proposal, for he 
felt anxious to join the females, and he took the offered 
hand of the Indian very willingly. The parting words w'ere 
friendly, and while the red man walked calmly toward the 
wood, with the rifle in the hollow of his arm, without once 
looking back in uneasiness or distrust, the white man 
rnoved toward the remaining canoe, carrying his piece in 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


II ; 


the same pacific manner, it is true, but keeping his eyes 
fastened on the movements of the other. This distrust, 
however, seemed to be altogether uncalled for, and, as if 
ashamed to have entertained it, the young man averted his 
look, and stepped carelessly up to his boat. Here he began 
to push the canoe from the shore, and to make his other 
preparations for departing. He might have been thus em- 
ployed a minute, when, happening to turn his face toward 
the land, his quick and certain eye told him, at a glance, 
the imminent jeopardy in which his life was placed. The 
black, ferocious eyes of the savage were glancing on him, 
like those of the crouching tiger, through a small opening 
in the bushes, and the muzzle of his ritle seemed already 
to be opening in a line with his own body. 

Then, indeed, the long practice of Deerslayer as a hunter 
did him good service. Accustomed to fire with the deer 
on the bound, and often when the precise position of the 
animal’s body had in a manner to be guessed at, he used 
the same expedients here. To cock and poise his rifle were 
the acts of a single moment and a single motion ; then, 
aiming almost without sighting, he fired into the bushes 
where he knew a body ought to be in order to sustain the 
appalling countenance which alone was visible. There was 
not time to raise the piece any higher or to take a more 
deliberate aim. So rapid w’ere his movements, that both 
parties discharged their pieces at the same instant, the con- 
cussions mingling in one report. The mountains, indeed, 
gave back but a single echo. Deerslayer dropped his piece, 
and stood, with head erect, steady as one of the pines in the 
calm of a June morning, watching the result, while the sav- 
age gave the yell that has become historical for its appall- 
ing influence, leaped through the bushes, and came bound- 
ing across the open ground, flourishing a tomahawk. Still 
Deerslayer moved not, but stood with his unloaded rifle 
fallen against his shoulders, while, with a hunter’s habits, 
his hands were mechanically feeling for the powder-horn 
and charger. When about forty feet from his enemy, the 
savage hurled his keen weapon ; but it was with an eye so 
vacant, and a hand so unsteady and feeble, that the young 
man caught it by the handle as it was flying past him. At 
that instant the Indian staggered and fell his whole length 
on the ground. 


114 


THE DRERSLAVER. 


know’d it — I know’d it!" exclaimed Deerslayer, who 
was already preparing to force a fresh bullet into his rifle ; 
“I know’d it must come to this as soon as I had got the 
range from the creatur’s eyes. A man sights suddenly and 
fires quick when his own life’s in danger ; yes, I know’d it 
would come to this. I was about the hundredth part of a 
second too quick for him, or it might have been bad for 
me. The riptyle’s bullet has just grazed my side — but, say 
what you will for or ag’in ’em, a red-skin is by no means 
as sartain with powder and ball as a white man. Their 
gifts don’t seem to lie that a-way. Even Chingachgook, 
great as he is in other matters, isn’t downright deadly with 
the rifle.’’ 

By this time the piece was reloaded, and Deerslayer, 
after tossing the tomahawk into the canoe, advanced to his 
victim, and stood over him, leaning on his rifle, in melan- 
choly attention. It was the first instance in which he had 
seen a man fall in battle — it was the first fellow-creature 
against whom he had ever seriously raised his own hand. 
The sensations were novel ; and regret, with the freshness 
of our better feelings^ mingled with his triumph. The In- 
dian was not dead, though shot directly through the body. 
He lay on his back motionless, but his eyes, now full of 
consciousness, watched each action of his victor — as the fall-' 
en bird regards the fowler — jealous of every movement. 
The man probably expected the fatal blow which was to 
precede the loss of his scalp ; or perhaps he anticipated 
that this latter act of cruelty would precede his death. 
Deerslayer read his thoughts ; and he -found a melancholy 
satisfaction in relieving the apprehensions of the helpless 
sava.ge. 

“No, no, red-skin,’’ he said ; “you’ve nothing more to 
fear from me. I am of a Christian stock, and scalping is 
not of my gifts. I’ll just make sartain of your rifle, and 
then come back and do you what sarvice I can. Though 
here I can’t stay much longer, as the crack of three rifles 
will be apt to bring some of your devils down upon me.’’ 

The close of this was said in a sort of a soliloquy, as the 
young man went in quest of the fallen rifle. The piece 
was found where its owner had dropped it, and was imme- 
diately put into the canoe. Laying his own rifle at its side 
Deerslayer then returned and stood over the Indian again. 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


1*5 


“All inmity atween you and me’s at an ind, red-skin,” 
he said ; “ and you may set your heart at rest on the score 
of the scalp, or any further injury. My ^^ifts are white, as 
I’ve told you ; and I hope my conduct will be white also ! ” 

Could looks hav^e conveyed all they meant, it is probable 
Deerslayer’s innocent vanity on the subject of color would 
have been rebuked a little ; but he comprehended the grat- 
itude that was expressed in the eyes of the dying savage, 
without in the least detecting the bitter sarcasm that strug- 
gled with the better feeling. 

“ Water !” ejaculated the thirsty and unfortunate crea- 
ture ; “give poor Injin water.” 

“ Ay, water you shall have, if you drink the lake dry. 
I’ll just carry you down to it, that you may take your fill. 
This is the way, they tell me, with all wounded people — 
water is their greatest comfort and delight.” 

So saying, Deerslayer raised the Indian in his arms, and 
carried him to the lake. Here he first helped him to take 
an attitude in which he could appease Jiis burning thirst ; 
after which he seated himself on a stone, and took the head 
of his wounded adversary in his own lap, and endeavored 
to soothe his anguish in the best manner he could. 

“ It would be sinful in me to tell you your time hadn’t 
come, warrior,” he commenced, “and therefore I’ll not say 
it. You’ve passed the middle age already, and, considerin’ 
the sort of lives ye lead, your days have been pretty well 
filled. The principal thing now is, to look forward to 
what comes next. Neither red-skin nor pale-face, on the 
whole, calculates much on sleepin’ forever; but both ex- 
pect to live in anotlier world. Each has his gifts, and will 
be judged by ’em, and, I suppose, you’ve thought these 
matters over enough, not to stand in need of sarmons 
when the trial comes. You’ll find your liappy liuntiYig- 
grounds, if you’ve been a just Injin; if an onjust, you’ll 
meet your desarts in another way. I’ve mv own idees 
about these things ; but you’re too old and exper’enced to 
need any explanations from one as young as I.” 

“Good!” ejaculated the Indian, whose voice retained 
its depth even as life ebbed away ; “young head — ole wis- 
dom 1 ” 

“ It’s sometimes a consolation, when the ind comes, to 
know them we’ve harmed, or tried to harm, forgive us. I 


ii6 


• THE DEERS LA VER. 


suppose natur seeks this relief, by way of getting a pardon 
on ’arth ; as we never can know whether He pardons, wlio 
is all in all, till judgment itself comes. It’s soothing to 
know that any pardon at such times ; and that, I conclude, 
is the secret. Now, as for myself, I overlook altogether 
your designs ag’in my life : first, because no harm came of 
’em ; next, because it’s your gifts, and natur’ and trainin’, 
and I ought not to have trusted you at all ; and, finally and 
chiefly, because I can bear no ill-will to a dying man, 
whether heathen or Christian. So put your heart at ease, 
so far as I’m consarned ; you know best what other mat- 
ters ought to trouble you, or what ought to gii^e you satis- 
faction in so trying a moment.” 

‘It is probable that the Indian had some of the fearful 
glimpses of the unknown state of being which God in 
mercy seems at times to afford to all the human race ; but 
they were necessarily in conformity with his habits 'and 
prejudices. Like most of his people, and like too many 
of our own, he thought more of dying in a way to gain 
applause among those he left than to secure a better state 
of existence hereafter. While Deerslayer was speaking, 
his mind was a little bewildered, though he felt that the 
intention was good ; and when he had done, a regret 
passed over his spirit that none of his own tribe were pres- 
ent to witness his stoicism, under extreme bodily suffering, 
and the firmness with which he met his end. With the 
high innate courtesy that so often distinguishes the Indian 
warrior before he becomes corrupted by too much inter- 
course with the worst class of the white man, he endeavored 
to express his thankfulness for the other’s good intentions, 
and to let him understand that they were appreciated. 

“ Good ! ” he repeated, for this was an English word 
much used by the savages — “good — young head ; young 
hearty too. (9/^ heart tough ; no shed tear. Hear Indian 
when he die, and no want to lie — what he call him ? ” 

“ Deerslayer is the name I bear now, though the Del- 
awares have said that, when I get back from this war-path, 
I shall have a more manly title, provided I can ’arn one.” 

“ That good name for boy— poor name for warrior. He 
get better quick. No fear there ” — the savage had strength 
sufficient, under the strong excitement he felt, to raise a 
hand and tap the young man on his breast — “ eye sartain — 


THE DEERSLAVER, 


117 


finger lightning — aim, death — great warrior soon. No 
Deerslayer — Hawk-eye — Hawk-eye — Hawk-eye. Shake 
hand.” 

Deerslayer — or Hawk-eye, as the youth was then first 
named, for in after years he bore the appellation througli- 
out all that region — Deerslayer took the hand of the sav- 
age, whose last breath was drawn in that attitude, gazing 
in admiration at the countenance of a stranger, who had 
shown so much readiness, skill, and firmness, in a scene 
that was equally trying and novel. When the reader re- 
members it is the highest gratification an Indian can re- 
ceive to see his enemy betray weakness, he will be better 
able tp appreciate the conduct which had extorted so great 
a concession at such a moment. 

“ His spirit has fled ! ” said Deerslayer, in a suppressed, 
melancholy voice. “ Ah’s me ! Well, to this we must all 
come, sooner or later ; and he is happiest, let his skin be 
what color it may, who is best fitted to meet it. Here lies 
the body of no doubt a brave warrior, and the soul is al- 
ready flying toward its heaven or hell, whether that be a 
happy hunting-ground, a place scant of game ; regions of 
glory, according to Moravian doctrine, or flames of fire ! 
So it happens, too, as regards other matters. Here have 
old Hotter and Hurry Harry got themselves into difficulty, 
if they haven’t got themselves into torment and death, and 
all for a bounty that luck offers to me in what many would 
think a lawful and suitable manner. But not a farthing of 
such money shall cross my hand. White I was born, and 
white will I die ; clinging to the color to the last, even 
though the king’s majesty, his governors, and all his coun- 
cils, both at home and in’ the colonies, forget from what 
they come, and where they hope to go, and all for a little 
advantage in warfare. No, no — warrior, hand of mine 
shall never molest your scalp, and so your soul may rest 
in peace on the p’int of making a decent appearance, 
when the body comes to join it, in your own land of spir- 
its.” 

Deerslayer arose as soon as he had spoken. Then he 
placed the body of the dead man in a sitting posture, with 
its back against the little rock, taking the necessary care 
to prevent it from falling or in any way settling into an 
attitude that might be thought unseemly by the sensitive 


ii8 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


though wild notions of a savage. When this duty was, 
performed, the young man stood gazing at the grim coun- 
tenance of his fallen foe in a sort of melancholy abstrac- 
tion. As was his practice, however, a habit gained by liv- 
ing so much alone in the forest, he then began again to 
give utterance to his thoughts and feelings aloud. 

• “I didn’t wish your life, red-skin,” he said, “but you 
left me no choice atween killing or being killed. Each 
party acted according to his gifts, I suppose, and blame 
can light on neither. You were treacherous, according to 
your natur’ in war, and I was a little oversightful, as I’m 
apt to be in trusting others. Well, this is my first battle 
with a human mortal, though it’s not likely to be tl\e last. 
I have fou’t most of the creatur’s of the forest, such as 
bears, wolves, painters, and catamounts, but tliis is the 
beginning with the red-skins. If I was Injin born, now, I 
might tell of this, or carry in the scalp, and boast of the 
expl’ite afore the whole tribe ; or, if my inimy had only 
been even a bear, ’twould have been nat’ral and proper to 
let ev^erybody know what liad happened ; but 1 don’t well 
see how I’m to let even Chingachgook into this secret,- so 
long as it can be doiie only by boasting wdth a white 
tongue. And why should I wish to boast of it a’ter all ? 
It’s slaying a human, although he was a savage ; and how 
do I know that he w’as a just Injin ; and that he has not 
been taken away suddenly to anything but happy hunting- 
grounds ? When it’s onsartain whether good or evil has 
been done, the wisest way is not to be boastful — still, I 
should like Chingachgook to know that I haven’t discred- 
ited the Delawares or my training!” 

Part of tliis was uttered aloud, while part was merely 
muttered between the speaker’s teeth ; his more confident 
opinions enjoying the first advantage, while his doubts 
were expressed in the latter mode. Soliloquy and reflec- 
tion received a startling interruption, however, by the 
sudden appearance of a second Indian on the lake-shore, 
a few hundred yards from the point. This man, evidently 
another scout, who had probably been drawn to the place 
by the reports of the rifles, broke out of the forest with so 
Ihtle caution that Deerslayer caught a view of his person 
before he was himself discovered. When the latter event 
did occur, as was the case a moment later, the savage gave 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


1 19 


a loud yell, which was answered by a dozen voices from 
different parts of the mountain-side. There was no longer 
any time for delay; in another minute the boat was quit- 
ting the shore under long and steady sweeps of the paddle. 

As soon as Deerslayer believed himself to be at a safe 
distance, he ceased his efforts, permitting the little bark to 
drift, while he leisurely took a survey of the state of 
things. The canoe first sent adrift was floating before the 
air, quite a quarter of a mile above him, and a little nearer 
to the shore than he wished, now that he knew more of 
the savages were so near at hand. The canoe shoved 
from the point was within a few yards of him, he having 
directed his own course toward it on quitting the land. 
The dead Indian lav in grim quiet where he had left him, 
the warrior who had shown himself from the forest had 
already vanished, and the woods themselves were as silent 
and seemingly deserted as the day they came fresh from 
the hands of their great Creator. This profound stillness, 
however, lasted but a moment. When time had been 
given to the scouts of the enemy to reconnoitre, they 
burst out of the thicket upon the naked point, filling the 
air with yells of fury at discovering the death of their 
companion. These cries were immediately succeeded by 
shouts of delight when they reached the body and clus- 
tered eagerly around it. Deerslayer was a sufficient adept 
in the usages of the natives to understand the reason of 
the change. The yell was the customary lamentation at 
the loss of a warrior, the shout a sign of rejoicing that the 
conqueror had not been able to secure the scalp ; a trophy 
without which a victory is never considered complete. 
The distance at which the canoes lay probably prevented 
any attempts to injure the conqueror, the American Indian, 
like the panther of his own woods, seldom making any ef- 
fort against his foe unless tolerably certain it is under cir- 
cumstances that may be expected to prove effective. 

As the young man had no longer any motive to remain 
near the point, he prepared to collect his canoes, in order 
to tow them off to the castle. That nearest was soon in 
tow, when he proceeded in quest of the other, which was 
all this time floating up the lake. The eye of Deerslayer 
was no sooner fastened on this last boat than it struck him 
that it was nearer to the shore than it would have been 


120 


THE DEERS LAVER. 


had it merely followed the course of the gentle current of 
air. He began to suspect the influence of some unseen 
current in the water, and he quickened his exertions, in 
order to regain possession of it before it could drift in to a 
dangerous proximity to the woods. On getting nearer he 
thought that the canoe had a perceptible motion through 
the water, and, as it lay broadside to the air, that this mo- 
tion was taking it toward the land. A few vigorous strokes 
of the paddle carried him still nearer, when the mystery 
was explained. Something was evidently in motion on the 
off-side of the canoe, or that which was farthest from him- 
self, and closer scrutiny showed that it was a naked human 
arm. An Indian was lying in the bottom of the canoe, and 
was propelling it slowly but certainly to the shore, using 
his hand as a paddle. Deerslayer understood the whole 
artifice at a glance. A savage had swum off to the boat 
while he was occupied with his enemy on the point, got 
possession, and was using these means to urge it to the 
shore. 

Satisfied that the man in the canoe could have no arms, 
Deerslayer did not hesitate to dash close alongside of the 
retiring boat, without deeming it necessary to raise his 
own rifle. As soon as the wash of the water, which he made 
in approaching, became audible to the prostrate savage, 
the latter sprang to his feet, and uttered an exclamation 
that proved how completely he was taken by surprise. 

“If you’ve enj’yed yourself enough in that canoe, red- 
skin,” Deerslayer coolly observed, stopping his own career 
in sufficient time to prevent an absolute collision between 
the two boats — “ if you’ve enj’yed yourself enough in that 
canoe, you’ll do a prudent act by taking to the lake ag’in. 
I’m reasonable in these matters, and don’t crave your blood, 
though there’s them about that would look upon you niore 
as a due-bill for the bounty than a human mortal. Take to 
the lake this minute, afore we get to hot words.” 

The savage was one of those who did not understand a 
word of English, and he was indebted to the gestures of 
Deerslayer, and to the expression of an eye that did not 
often deceive, for an imperfect comprehension of his mean- 
ing. Perhaps, too, the sight of the rifle that lay so near 
the hand of the white man, quickened his decision. At all 
events, he crouched like a tiger about to take his leap. 


THE DEER SLA YER. 


I2I 


Uttered a yell, and the next instant his naked body disap- 
peared in the water. When lie arose to take breath, it was 
at the distance of several yards from the canoe, and the 
hasty glance he threw behind him denoted liow much he 
feared the arrival of a fatal messenger from the ritie of his 
foe. But the young man made no indication of any hos- 
tile intention. Deliberately securing the canoe to the 
others, he began to paddle from the shore ; and by the time 
the Indian reached the land, and had shaken himself like 
a spaniel on quitting the water, his dreaded enemy was al- 
ready beyond rifle-shot, on his way to the castle. As was 
so much his practice, Deerslayer did not fail to soliloquize 
on what had just occurred, while steadily pursuing his 
course toward the point of destination. 

Well, Avell,” he commenced, “ 'twould have been wrong 
to kill a human mortal without an object. Scalps are of 
no account with me, and life is sweet, and ought not to be 
taken mercilessly by them that have white gifts. The sav- 
age was a Mingo, it’s true ; and I make no doubt he is, and 
will be as long as he lives, a ra’al riptyle and vagabond ; 
but that’s no reason I should forget my gifts and color. 
No, no — let him go ; if ever we meet ag’in, rifle in hand, 
why then ’twill be seen which has the stoutest heart and 
the quickest eye. Hawk-eye ! That’s not a bad name for 
a warrior, sounding much more manful and valiant than 
Deerslayer ! ’Twouldn’t be a bad title to begin with, and 
it has been fairly ’arned. If ’twas Chingachgook, now, he 
might go home, and boast of his deeds, and the chiefs 
would name him Hawk-eye in a minute ; but it don’t be- 
come white blood to brag, and ’tisn’t easy to see how the 
matter can be known unless I do. Well, well — everything 
is in the hands of Providence : this alfair as well as an- 
other ; I’ll trust to that for getting my desarts in all things.” 

f laving thus betrayed what might be termed his weak 
spot, the young man continued to paddle in silence, making 
his way diligently, and as fast as his tows would allow him, 
toward the castle. By this time the sun had not only risen, 
but it had appeared over the eastern mountains, and was 
shedding a flood of glorious light on this as yet unchris- 
tened sheet of water. The whole scene was radiant with 
beauty, and no one unaccustomed to the ordinary history 
of the woods would fancy it had so lately witnessed inci- 


122 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


dents SO ruthless and barbarous. As he approached tha 
building of old Hutter, Deerslayer thought, or rather felt, 
that its appearance was in singular harmony with all the 
rest of the scene. Although nothing had b^en consulted 
but strength and security, the rude, massive logs, covered 
with their rough bark, the projecting roof, and the form, 
would contribute to render the building picturesque in al- 
most any situation, while its actual position added novelty 
and piquancy to its other points of interest. 

When Deerslayer drew nearer to the castle, however, ob- 
jects of interest presented themselves that at once eclipsed 
any beauties that might have distinguished the scenery of 
the lake, and the site of the singular edifice. Judith and 
Hetty stood on the platform before the door, Hurry’s door- 
yard, awaiting his approach with manifest anxiety; the 
former, from time to time, taking a survey of his person 
and of the canoes through the old ship’s spy-glass tliat has 
been already mentioned. Never, probably, did this girl 
seem more brilliantly beautiful than at that moment ; the 
flush of anxiety and alarm increasing her color to its rich- 
est tints, while the softness of her eyes, a charm that even 
poor Hetty shared with her, was deepened by intense con- 
cern. Such, at least, without pausing or pretending to 
analyze motives, or to draw any other very nice distinc- 
tions between cause and effect, were the opinions of the 
young man, as his canoes reached the side of the ark, where 
he carefully fastened all three before he put his foot on 
the platform. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

“ His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles ; 

His lo.ve sincere, his thoughts immaculate ; ' 

His tears pure messengers sent from his heart, 

His heart as far from fraud as heaven from earth.’' 

— Shakespeare. 

Neither of the girls spoke as Deerslayer stood be- 
fore them alone, his countenance betraying all the appre- 
hension he felt on account of the two absent members of 
their party. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


123 


“Father!” Judith at length exclaimed, succeeding in 
uttering the word, as it might be by a desperate effort. 

“ He’s met with misfortune, and there’s no use in con- 
cealing it,” answered Deerslayer, in his direct and simple- 
minded manner. “ He and Hurry are in Mingo hands, 
and Heaven only knows what’s to be the tarmination. I’ve 
got the canoes safe, and that’s a consolation, since the vag- 
abonds will have to swim for it, or raft off, to come near 
this place. At sunset we’ll be reenforced by Chingach- 
gook, if I can manage to get him into a canoe ; and then, 
I think, we two can answer for the ark and the castle, till 
some of the officers in the garrisons hear of this war-path, 
which sooner or later must be the case ; when we may look 
for succor from that quarter, if from no other.” 

“ The officers 1 ” exclaimed Judith, impatiently, her color 
deepening, and her eye expressing a lively but passing 
emotion. “ Who thinks or speaks of the heartless gallants 
now ? We are sufficient of ourselves to defend the castle 
— but what of my father and of poor Hurry Harry ?” 

“ ’Tis natural you should feel this consarn for your own 
parent, Judith, and I suppose it’s equally so that you should 
feel it for Hurry Harry, too.” 

Deerslayer then commenced a succinct but clear narra- 
tive of all that occurred during the night, in no manner 
concealing what had befallen his two companions, or his 
own opinion of what might prove to be the consequences. 
The girls listened with profound attention, but neither 
betrayed that feminine apprehension and concern which 
would have followed such a communication when made 
to those who were less accustomed to the hazards and 
accidents of a frontier life. To the surprise of Deerslaver, 
Judith seemed the most distressed, Hetty listening eagerly, 
but appearing to brood over the facts in melanclioly 
silence, rather than betraying any outward signs of feeling. 
The former’s agitation the young man did not fail to at- 
tribute to the interest she felt in Hurry, quite as much as 
to her filial love, while Hetty’s apparent indifference was 
ascribed to that mental darkness which in a measure ob- 
scured her intellect, and which possibly prevented her 
from foreseeing all the consequences. Little was said, 
however, by either, Judith and her sister busying them- 
selves in making the preparations for the morning meal, 


124 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


as they who habitually attend to such matters toil on me- 
chanically even in the midst of suffering and sorrow. The 
plain but nutritious breakfast was taken by all three in 
sombre silence. The girls ate 'little, but Deerslayer gave 
proof of possessing one material requisite of a good sol- 
dier, that of preserving his appetite in the midst of most 
alarming and embarrassing circumstances. The meal was 
nearly ended before a syllable was uttered ; then, however, 
Judith spoke in the convulsive and hurried manner in 
which feeling breaks through restraint, after the latter 
has become more painful than even the betrayal of emo- 
tion. 

“ Father would have relished this fish ! ” she exclaimed ; 
“ he says the salmon of the lakes is almost as good as the 
salmon of the sea.” 

“Your father has been acquainted with the sea, they 
tell me, Judith,” returned the young man, who could not 
forbear throwing a glance of inquiry at the girl ; for, in 
common with all who knew Hutter, he had some curiosity 
on the. subject of his early history. “ Hurry Harry tells 
me he was once a sailor.” 

Judith first looked perplexed; then influenced by feel- 
ings that were novel to her in more ways than one, she 
became suddenly communicative, and seemingly much in- 
• terested in the discourse. 

“ If Hurry knows anything of father’s history, I would 
he had told it to me ! ” she cried. “ Sometimes I think, 
too, he was once a sailor, and then, again, I think he was 
not. If that chest was open, or if it could speak, it might 
let us into his whole history. But its fastenings are too 
strong to be broken like packthread.” 

Deerslayer turned to the chest in question, and for the 
first time examined it closely. Although discolored, and 
bearing proofs of having received much ill treatment, he 
saw that it was of materials and workmanship alto- 
gether superior to anything of the same sort he had ever 
before beheld. The wood was dark, rich, and had once 
been highly polished, though the treatment it had received 
left little gloss on its surface, and various scratches and 
indentations proved the rough collisions that it had en- 
countered with substances still harder than itself. The. 
, corners were firmly bound with steel, elaborately and 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


richly wrought, while the locks, of which it had no less than 
three, and the hinges, were of a fashion and w’orkmanship 
that would have attracted attention even in a warehouse 
of curious furniture. This chest was quite large ; and 
when Deerslayer arose, and endeavored to raise an end 
by its massive handle, he found that the weight fully cor- 
responded with the external appearance. 

“Did you never see that chest opened, Judith ?” the 
young man demanded, with frx^ntier freedom ; for delicacy 
on such subjects was little felt among the people on the 
verge of civilization, in that age, even if it be to-day. 

“ Never. Father has never opened it in my presence, 
if he ever opens it at all. No one here has ever seen its 
lid raised, unless it be father ; nor do I even know that he 
has ever seen it.” 

“ Now, you’re wrong, Judith,” Hetty quietly answered. 
“ Father has raised the lid, and I've seen him do it.” 

A feeling of manliness kept the mouth of Deerslayer 
shut ; for, while he would not have hesitated about going 
far beyond what would be thought the bounds of propri- 
ety, in questioning the elder sister, he had just scruples 
about taking what might be thought an advantage of the 
feeble intellect of the younger. Judith, being under no 
such restraint, ho\vever, turned quickly to the last speaker, 
and continued the discourse. 

When and where did you see that chest opened, 
Hetty ? ” 

“ Here, and again and again. Father often opens it 
when you are away, though he don’t in the least mind my 
being by, and seeing all he does, as well as hearing all he 
says.” 

, “ And what is it that he does, and what does he say ? ” 

“That I cannot teWyou, Judith,” returned the other, in 
a low but resolute voice. “ Father's secrets are not my 
secrets.” 

“ Secrets ! This is stranger still, Deerslayer, that 
father should tell them to Hetty and not tell them to me ! ” 

“There’s good reason for that, Judith, though you’re 
not to know it. Father’s not here to answer for himself, 
and I’ll say no more about it.” 

Judith and Deerslayer looked surprised, and, for a min- 
ute, the first seemed pained. But, suddenly recollecting 


126 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


herself, she turned away from her sister, as if in pity for 
her weakness, and addressed the young man. 

“You’ve told but half your story,” she said, “breaking 
off at that place where you went to sleep in the canoe — or 
rather where you rose to listen to the cry of the loon. We 
heard the call of the loons, too, and thought their cries 
might bring a storm, though we are little used to tempests 
on this lake, at this season of the year.” 

“ The winds blow and the tempests howl as God pleases ; 
sometimes at one season, and sometimes at another,” an- 
swered Deerslayer ; “ and the loons speak accordin’ to 
their natur’. Better would it be if men were as honest 
and frank. After I rose to listen to the birds, finding it 
could not be Hurry’s signal, I lay down and slept. When 
the day dawned I was up and stirring as usual, and then 
I went in chase of the two canoes, lest the Mingoes should 
lay hands on ’em.” 

“You have not told us all, Deerslayer,” said Judith, 
earnestly. “ We heard rifles under the eastern mountain ; 
the echoes were full and long, and came so soon after the 
reports that the pieces must have been fired on or quite 
near the shore. Our ears are used to these signs, and are 
not to be deceived.” 

“ They’ve done their duty, gal, this time ; yes, they’ve 
done their duty. Rifles have been sighted this morning, 
ay,, and triggers pulled, too, though not as often as they 
might have been. One warrior has gone to his happy 
hunting-grounds, and that’s the whole of it. A man of 
white blood and white gifts is not to be expected to boast 
of his expl’ites, and to flourish scalps.” 

Judith listened almost breathlessly ; and when Deer- 
slayer, in his quiet, modest manner, seemed disposed to 
quit the subject, she rose and, crossing the room, took a 
seat by his side. The manner of the girl had nothing for- 
ward about it, though it betrayed the quick instinct of a 
female’s affection, and the sympathizing kindness of a 
woman’s heart. She even took the hard hand of the 
hunter, and pressed it in both her own, unconsciousl}^ to 
herself, perhaps, while she looked earnestly and even re- 
proachfully into his sunburnt face. 

“ You have been fighting the savages, Deerslayer, singly 
and by yourself!” she said. “In your wish to take care 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


127 


of ns — of Hetty — of me, perhaps, you’ve fought the enemy 
bravely, with no eye to encourage your deeds, or to wit- 
ness your fall, had it pleased Providence to suffer so great 
a calamity !” 

“ I’ve fou’t, Judith ; yes I have fou’t the inimy, and that, 
too, for the first time in my life. These things must be, 
and they bring with ’em a mixed feelin’ of sorrow and tri- 
umph. Human natur’ is a fightin’ natur’, I suppose, as 
all nations kill in battle, and we must be true to our rights 
and gifts. What has yet been done is no great matter, 
but should Chingachgook come to the rock this evening, 
as is agreed atween us, and I get him off it onbeknown to 
the savages, or, if known to tliem, ag’in their wishes and 
designs, then may we all look to something like warfare, 
afore the Mingoes shall get possession of either the castle 
or the ark, or yourselves.” 

“Who is this Chingachgook ; from what place does he 
come, and why does he come hcreV’ 

“ The questions are nat’ral and right, I suppose, though 
the youth has a great name already in his own part of the 
country. Chingachgook is a Mohican by blood, consort- 
ing with the Delawares by usage, as is the case with most 
of his tribe, which has long been broken up by the in- 
crease of our color. He is one of the family of the great 
chiefs, Uncas, his father, having been the considerablest 
warrior and counsellor of his people. Even old Tame- 
nund honors Chingachgook, though he is thought to be 
yet too young to lead in war ; and then the nation is so 
disparsed and diminished that chieftainship among ’em 
has got to be little more than a name. Well, this war 
having commenced in ’arnest, the Delaware and I rendez- 
vous’d an app’intment, to meet .tins evening at sunset on 
the rendezvous-rock at the foot of this very lake, intend- 
ing to come out on our first hostile expedition ag’in the 
Mingoes. Why we come exactly this-a-way is our own 
secret ; but thoughtful young men on a war-path, a? you 
may suppose, do nothing without a calculation and a 
design.” 

“ A Delaware can have no unfriendly intention toward 
us,” said Judith, after a moment’s hesitation, “and we 
know you to be friendly.” 

“ Treachery is the last crime I hope to be accused of,” 


128 


THE ' DEERS LA YER. 


returned Deerslayer, hurt at the gleam of distrust that had 
shot through Judith’s mind ; “and, least of ail, treachery 
to my own color.” 

“No one suspects jjw/, Deerslayer,” the girl impetuously 
cried. “ No — no — your honest countenance would be suf- 
ficient surety for the truth of a thousand hearts ! If all 
men had as honest tongues, and no more promised what 
they did not mean to perform, there would be less wrong 
done in the world, and fine feathers and scarlet cloaks 
would not be thought excuses for baseness and decep- 
tion.” 

The girl spoke with strong, nay, even with convulsed 
feeling, and her fine eyes, usually so soft and alluring, 
flashed fire as she concluded. Deerslayer could not but 
observe this extraordinary emotion ; but, with the tact of 
a courtier, he avoided not only any allusion to the circum- 
stance, but succeeded in concealing the effect of his dis- 
covery on himself. Judith gradually grew calm again, 
and, as she was obviously anxious to appear to advantage 
in the eyes of the young man, she was soon able to renew 
the conversation as composedly as if nothing had occurred 
to disturb her. 

“ I have no right to look into your secrete, or the se- 
crets of your friend, Deerslayer,” she continued, “ and am 
ready to take all you say on trust. If we can really get 
another male ally to join us at this trying moment, it will 
aid us much ; and I am not without hope that, when the 
savages find we are able to keep the lake, they will offer 
to give up their prisoners in exchange for skins, or at least 
for the keg of powder that we have in the house.” 

The young man had the words “scalps” and “bounty” 
on his lips, but a reluctance to alarm the feelings of the 
daughters prevented him from making the allusion he had 
intended to the probable fate of their father. Still, so little 
was he practised in the arts of deception, that his express- 
ive countenance was, of itself, understood by the quick- 
witted Judith, whose intelligence had been sharpened by 
the risks and habits of her life. 

“ I understand what you mean,” she continued, hurriedly, 
“ and what you would say, but for the fear of hurting me 
— tis, I mean ; for Hetty loves her father quite as well as I 
do. But this is not as we think of Indians. They never 


THE DEEKSLA YER. 


129 


scalp an unhurt prisoner, but would rather take him away 
alive, unless, indeed, the fierce wish for torturing should 
get the mastery of them. I fear nothing for my father’s 
scalp, and little for his life. Could they steal on us in the 
night, we should all probably suifer in this way ; but men 
taken in open strife are seldom injured ; not, at least, until 
the time of torture comes.” 

That’s tradition. I’ll allow, and it’s accordin’ to prac- 
tice — but, Judith, do you know the ’ar’nd on which your 
father and Hutter went ag’in the savages ?” 

“ I do ; and a cruel errand it was! But what will you 
have ? Men will be men, and some even that flaunt in 
their gold and silver, and carry the king’s commission in 
their pockets, are not guiltless of equal cruelty.” Jud- 
ith’s eye again flashed, but by a desperate struggle she 
resumed her composure. “ I get warm when I think of 
all the wrong that men do,” she added, affecting to smile, 
an effort in which she only succeeded indifferently well. 
“All this is silly. What is done is done, and it cannot be 
mended by complaints. But the Indians think so little of 
the shedding of blood, and value men so much for the 
boldness of their undertakings, that, did they know the 
business on which their prisoners came, they would be 
more likely to honor than to injure them for it.” 

“ For a time, Judith ; yes, I TiWow that, for a time. But ’ 
when the feelin’ dies away, then will come the love of re- 
venge. We must indivour, Chingachgook and I, we must 
indivour to see what we can do to get Hurry and your 
father free ; for the Mingoes will, no doubt, hover about 
this lake some days, in order to make the most of their 
success.” 

“You think this Delaware can be depended on, Deer- 
slayer ? ” demanded the girl, thoughtfully. 

“As much as I can myself. You say you do not suspect 
me, J udith ? ” 

“ You! ” taking his hand again, and pressing it between 
her own, with a warmth that might have awakened the 
vanity of one less simple-minded, and more disposed to 
dwell on his own good qualities, “I would as soon suspect 
a brother ! I have known you but a day, Deerslayer, but 
it has awakened the confidence of a year. Your name, 
however, is not unknown to me ; for the gallants of the 

9 


130 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


garrison frequently speak of the lessons you have given 
them in hunting, and all proclaim your honesty.” 

“ Do they ever talk of the shooting, gal ? ” inquired the 
other, eagerly, after, however, laughing in a silent but heart- 
felt manner, “ Do they ever talk of the shooting ? I want 
to hear nothing about my own, for if that isn’t sartified to 
by this time, in all these parts, there’s little use in being 
skilful and sure ; but what do the officers say of their 
own — yes, what do they say of their own ? Arms, as they 
call it, is their trade, and yet there’s some among ’em that 
know very little how to use ’em ! ” 

“ Such, I hope, will not be the case with your friend 
Chingachgook, as you call him — what is the English of 
his Indian name ? ” 

“ Big Sarpent — so called for his wisdom and cunning. 
Uncas is his ra’al name — all his family being called Uncas, 
until they get a title that has been ’aimed by deeds.” 

“ If he has all this wisdom, we may expect a useful friend 
in him, unless his own business in this part of the country 
should prevent him from serving us.” 

“ I see no great harm in telling you his ar’n’d, a’ter all, 
and, as you may find means to help us, I will let you and 
Hetty into the whole matter, trusting that you’ll keep the 
secret as if it was your own. You must know that Chin- 
gachgook is a comely Injin, and is much looked upon and 
admired by the young women of his tribe, both on account 
of his family, and on account of himself. Now, there is a 
chief that has a daughter called Wah-ta !-Wah, which is 
intarpreted into Hist-oh ! Hist, in the English tongue, the 
rarest gal among the Delawares, and the one most sought 
a’ter and craved for a wife by all the young warriors of the 
nation. Well, Chingachgook, among others, took a fancy 
to Wah-ta !-Wah, and Wah-ta !-Wah took a fancy to him.” 
Here Deerslayer paused an instant; for, as he got thus far 
in his tale, Hetty Hutter arose, approached, and stood at- 
tentive at his knee, as a child draws near to listen to the 
legends of its mother. “ Yes, he fancied her^ and she fan- 
cied ///;;/,” resumed Deerslayer, casting a friendl}^and ap- 
proving glance at the innocent and interested girl ; “ and 
when that is the case, and all the elders are agreed, it does 
not often happen that the young couple keep apart. Chin- 
gachgook couldn’t well carry off such a prize without 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


131 

making inimies among them that wanted her as much as 
he did himself. A sartain Briarthorn, as we call him in 
English, or Yocommon, as he is tarmed in Injin, took it 
most to heart, and we mistrust him of having a hand in 
all that followed. Wah-ta !-Wah went with her father and 
mother two moons ago to fish salmon on the western 
streams, where it is agreed by all in these parts that fish 
most abounds, and while thus empl’y'd the gal vanished. 
For several weeks we could get no tidings of her ; but 
here, ten days since, a runner that came through the Dela- 
ware country, brought us a message, by which we Tarn 
that Wah-ta !-Wah was stolen from her people — we think, 
but do not know it, by Briarthorn’s sarcumventions — and 
that she was now with the inimy, who had adopted her, 
and wanted her to marry a young Mingo. The message 
said that the party intended to hunt and forage through 
this region for a month or two, afore it went back into the 
Canadas, and that if we could contrive to get on a scent 
in this quarter, something might turn up that would lead 
to our getting the maiden off.” 

“ And how does that concern you^ Deerslayer ? ” de- 
manded Judith, a little anxiously. 

“ It consarns me, as all things that touches a fri’nd con- 
sarns a fri’nd. I’m here as Chingachgook’s aid and help- 
er, and if we can get the young maiden he likes back ag’in, 
it will give me almost as much pleasure as if I had got back 
my own sweetheart.” 

“ And where, then, your sweetheart, Deerslayer ?” 

“She’s in the forest, Judith — hanging from the boughs 
of the trees, in a soft rain — in the dew on the open grass 
— the clouds that float about in the blue heavens — the birds 
that sing in the woods — the sweet springs where I slake 
my thirst — and in all the other glorious gifts that come 
from God’s providence ! ” 

“You mean that, as yet, you’ve never loved one of my 
sex, but love best your haunts and your own manner of 
life ? ” 

“ That’s it — that’s just it. I am white — have a white 
heart, and can’t, in reason, love a red-skinned maiden, who 
must have a red-skin heart and feelin’s. No, no. I’m sound 
enough in them partic’lars, and hope to remain so, at least 
till this war is over. I find my time too much taken up 


132 


THE DEERSLAVER, 


with Chingachgook’s affairs to wish to have one of my own 
on my hands afore that is settled.” 

“ The girl that finally wins you, Deerslayer, will at least 
win an honest heart — one without treachery or guile ; and 
that will be a victory that most of her sex ought to envy.” 

As Judith uttered this, her beautiful face had a resent- 
ful frown on it ; while a bitter smile lingered around a 
mouth that no derangement of the muscles could render 
anything but handsome. Her companion observed the 
change, and though little skilled in the workings of the 
female heart, he had sufficient native delicacy to understand 
that it migln be well to drop the subject. 

As the hour when Chingachgook was expected still re- 
mained distant, Deerslayer had time enough to examine 
into the state of the defences, and to make such additional 
arrangements as were in his power, and the exigency of 
the moment seemed to require. The experience and fore- 
sight of Hutter had left little to be done in those particu- 
lars ; still, several precautions suggested themselves to the 
young man, who may be said to have studied the art of 
frontier warfare through the traditions and legends of the 
people among whom he had so long lived. The distance 
between the castle and the nearest point on the shore pre- 
vented any apprehension on the subject of rifle bullets 
thrown from the land. The house was within musket- 
shot in one sense, it was true, but aim was entirely out of 
the question, and even Judith professed a perfect disre- 
gard of any danger from that source. So long, tiien, as 
the party remained in possession of the fortress they were 
safe, unless their assailants could find the means to come 
off and carry it by fire or storm ; or by some of the de- 
vices of Indian cunning and Indian treachery. Against 
the first source of danger Hutter had made ample provis- 
ion, and the building itself, the bark roof excepted, was 
not very combustible. The floor was scuttled in several 
places, and buckets provided with ropes were in daily use, 
in readiness for any such emergency. One of the girls 
could easily extinguish any fire that might be lighted, pro- 
vided it had not time to make much headway. Judith, 
who appeared to understand all her father’s schemes of 
defence, and who had the spirit to take no unimportant 
share in the execution of them, explained ail these details 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


133 


to the young man, who was thus saved much time and 
labor in making his investigations. 

Little was to be apprehended during the day. In pos- 
session of the canoes and of the ark, no other vessel was 
to be found on the lake. Nevertheless, Deerslayer well 
knew that a raft was spon made, and, as dead trees were 
to be found in abundance near the water, did the savages 
seriously contemplate the risk of an assault, it would not 
be a very difficult matter to find the necessary means. 
The celebrated American axe, a tool that is quite unri- 
valled in its way, was then not very extensively known, 
and the savages were far from expert in the use of its 
hatchet-like substitute ; still they had sufficient practice 
in crossing streams by this mode to render it certain they 
would construct a raft, should they deem it expedient to 
expose themselves to the risks of an assault. The death 
of their w^arrior might prove a sufficient incentive, or 
might act as a caution ; but Deerslayer thought it more 
than possible that the succeeding night would bring mat- 
ters to a crisis, and in this precise way. This impression 
caused him to wish ardently for the presence and succor of 
his Mohican friend, and to look forward to the approach 
of sunset with an increasing anxiety. 

As the day advanced, the party in the castle matured 
• their plans and made their preparations. Judith was ac-- 
tive, and seemed to find pleasure in consulting and advis- 
ing with her new acquaintance, whose indifference to dan- 
ger, manly devotion to herself and sister, guilelessness of 
manner, and truth of feeling, had won rapidly on both her 
imagination and her affections. Although the hours ap- 
peared long in some respects to Deerslayer, Judith did 
not find them so, and, when the sun began to descend to- 
ward the pine-clad summits of the western hills, she felt 
and expressed her surprise that the day should so soon be 
drawing to a close. On the other hand, Hetty was moody 
and silent. She was never loquacious, or, if she occasion- 
ally became communicative, it was under the influence of 
some temporary excitement that served to arouse her un- 
sophisticated mind ; but, for hours at a time, in the course 
of this all-important day, she seemed to have absolutely 
lost the use of her tongue. Nor did apprehension on ac- 
count of her father materially affect the manner of either 


134 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


sister. N either appeared seriously to dread any evil greater 
than captivity, and once or twice, when Hetty did speak, 
she intimated the expectation that Hutter would find the 
means to liberate himself. Although Judith was less san- 
guine on this head, she too betrayed the hope that propo- 
sitions for a ransom would come when the Indians discov- 
ered that the castle set their expedients and artifices at 
defiance. Deerslayer, however, treated these passing sug- 
gestions as the ill-digested fancies of girls, making his 
own arrangements as steadily, and brooding over the fu- 
ture as seriously, as if they had never fallen from their 
lips. 

At length the hour arrived when it became necessary 
to proceed to the place of rendezvous appointed with the 
Mohican, or Delaware, as Chiiigachgook was more com- 
monly called. As the plan had been matured by Deer- 
slayer, and fully communicated to his companions, all three 
set about its execution in concert and intelligently. Hetty 
passed into the ark, and fastening two of the canoes to- 
gether she entered one and paddled up to a sort of gate- 
way in the palisadoes that surrounded the building, 
through which she carried both, securing them beneath 
the house by chains that were fastened within the building. 
These palisadoes were trunks of trees driven firmly into 
the mud, and served the double purpose of a small enclos-^ 
lire that was intended to be used in this very manner, and 
to keep any enemy that might approach in boats at arm’s- 
length. Canoes thus docked were, in a measure, hid from 
sight, and, as the gate was properly barred and fastened, 
it would not be an easy task to remove them even in the 
event of their being seen. Previously, however, to closing 
the gate, Judith also entered within the enclosure with the 
third canoe, leaving Deerslayer busy in securing the door 
and windows inside the building over her head. As every- 
thing was massive and strong, and small saplings were 
used as bars, it would have been the work of an hour or 
two to break into the building when Deerslayer had ended 
his task, even allowing the assailants the use of any tools 
but the axe, and to be unresisted. This attention to se- 
curity arose from Hutter’s having been robbed once or 
twice by the lawless whites of the frontie»'j during some of 
his many absences from home. 


THE DEERSLAYE 


, 137 

As soon as all was fast in the inside 01 tne dwelling, 
Deerslayer appeared at a trap, from which he descended 
into the canoe of Judith. When this was done he fastened 
the door with a massive staple and stout padlock. Hetty 
was then received in the canoe, which was shoved outside 
of the palisadoes. The next precaution was to fasten the 
gate, and the keys were carried into the ark. The three 
were now fastened out of the dwelling, which could only 
be entered by violence, or by following the course taken 
by the young man in quitting it. 

The glass had been brought outside as a preliminary 
step, and Deerslayer next took a careful survey of the en- 
tire shore of the lake as far as his own position would al- 
low. Not a living thing was visible, a few birds excepted, 
and even the last fluttered about in the shades of the trees, 
as if unwilling to encounter the heat of a sultry afternoon. 
All the nearest points, in particular, were subjected to se- 
vere scrutiny, in order to make certain that no raft was in 
preparation ; the result everywhere giving the same picture 
of calm solitude. A few words will explain the greatest 
embarrassment belonging to the situation of our party. 
Exposed themselves to the observation of any watchful 
eyes, the movements of their enemies were concealed by 
the drapery of a dense forest. While the imagination 
would be very apt to people the latter with more warriors 
than it really contained, their own weakness must be too 
apparent to all who might chance to cast a glance in their 
direction. 

“Nothing is stirring, howsever,” exclaimed Deerslayer, 
as he finally lowered the glass and prepared to enter the 
ark ; “ if the vagabonds do harbor mischief in their minds, 
they are too cunning to let it be seen ; it’s true, a raft may 
be in preparation in the woods, but it has not yet been 
brought down to the lake. They can’t guess that we are 
about to quit the castle, and, if they did, they’ve no means 
of knowing where we intend to go.” 

“This is so true, Deerslayer,” returned Judith, “that 
now all is ready, we may proceed at once, boldly and 
without the fear of being followed — else we shall be be- 
hind our time.” 

“ No— no — the matter needs management — for, though 
the savages are in the dark as to Chingachgook and the 


DEERSLAYER. 

lOctv, Lixc^- and legs, and will see in what direction 
we steer, and will be sartain to follow us. I shall strive to 
baffle ’em, hows’ever, by heading the scow in all manner 
of ways, first in one quarter and then in another, until 
they get to be a-leg- weary, and tired of tramping a’ter us.” 

So far as it was in his power, Deerslayer was as good as 
his word. In less than five minutes after this speech was 
made, the whole party was in the ark, and in motion. 
There was a gentle breeze from the north, and boldly 
hoisting the sail, the young man laid the head of the un- 
wieldy craft in such a direction, as, after making a liberal 
but necessary allowance for leeway, would have brought 
it ashore a couple of miles down the lake, and on its east- 
ern side. The sailing of the ark was never very swift, 
though floating as it did on the surface, it was not difficult 
to get it in motion, or to urge it along over the water at 
the rate of some three or four miles in the hour. The dis- 
tance between the castle and the rock was a little more 
than two leagues. Knowing the punctuality of an Indian, 
Deerslayer had made his calculations closely, and had 
given himself a little more time than was necessary to 
reach the place of rendezvous, with a view to delay, or 
press his arrival, as might prove most expedient. When 
he hoisted the sail, the sun lay above the western hills, at 
an elevation that promised rather more than two hours of 
day ; and a few minutes satisfied him that the progress of 
the scow was such as to equal his expectations. 

It was a glorious June afternoon, and never did that soli- 
tary sheet of water seem less like an arena of strife and 
bloodshed. The light air scarce descended as low as the 
bed of the lake, hovering over it as if unwilling to disturb 
its deep tranquillity, or to ruffle its mirror-like surface. . 
Even the forests appeared to be slumbering in the sun, 
and a few piles of fleecy clouds had lain for hours along 
the northern horizon like fixtures in the atmosphere, 
placed there purely to embellish the scene. A few aquatic 
fowls occasionally skimmed along the water, and a single 
raven was visible, sailing high above the trees, and keep- 
ing a watchful eye on the forest beneath him, in order to 
detect anything having life that the mysterious woods 
might offer as prey. 

The reader will probably have observ^ed that, amid the 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


137 


frankness and abruptness of manner which marked the 
frontier habits of Judith, her language was superior to 
that used by her male companions, her own father in- 
cluded. The difference extended as well to pronunciation 
as to the choice of words and phrases. Perhaps nothing 
so soon betrays the education and association as the modes 
of speech ; and few accomplishments so much aid the 
charm of female beauty as a graceful and even utterance, 
while nothing so soon produces the disenchantment that 
necessarily follows a discrepancy between appearance and 
manner, as a mean intonation of voice, or a vulgar use of 
words. Judith and her sister were marked exceptions to 
all the girls of their class, along that whole frontier ; the 
officers of the nearest garrison having often flattered the 
former with the belief that few ladies of the towns acquit- 
ted themselves better than herself in this important par- 
ticular. This was far from being literally true, but it was 
sufficiently near the fact to give birth to the compliment. 
The girls were indebted to their mother for this profi- 
ciency, having acquired from her, in childhood, an advan- 
tage that no subsequent study or labor can giye without a 
drawback, if neglected beyond the earlier periods of life. 
Who that mother was, or rather had been, no one but 
Hutter knew. She had now been dead two summers, and, 
as was stated by Hurry, she had been buried in the lake ; 
whether in indulgence of a prejudice, or from a reluctance 
to take the trouble to dig her grave, had frequently been a 
matter of discussion between the rude beings of that re- 
gion. Judith had never visited the spot, but Hetty was 
present at the interment, and she often paddled a canoe, 
about sunset, or by the light of the moon, to ihe place, 
and gazed down into the limpid water, in the hope of 
being able to catch a glimpse of a form that she had so ten- 
derly loved from infancy to the sad hour of their parting. 

“ Must we reach the rock exactly at the moment the sun 
sets?” Judith demanded of the young man, as they stood 
near each other, Deerslayer holding tlie steering oar, and 
she working with a needle at some ornament of dress that 
much exceeded her station in life, and was altogether a 
novelty in the woods. “Will a few minutes, sooner or 
later, alter the matter^ It will be very hazardous to re- 
main long as near the shore as that rock.” 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


138 

“ That’s it, Judith ; that’s the very difficulty ! The rock’s 
within p’int blank for a shot-gun, and ’twill never do to 
hover about it too close and too long. When you have to 
deal with an Injin, you must calculate and manage, for a 
red natur’ dearly likes- sarcumvention. Now, you see, Ju- 
dith, that I do not steer toward the rock at all, but here to 
the eastward of it, whereby the savages will be tramping 
off in that direction and get their legs a-wearied, and all 
for no advantage.” 

“ You think, then, they see us, and watch our movements, 
Deerslayer ? I was in hopes they might have fallen back 
into the woods, and left us to ourselves for a few hours.” 

“ That’s altogether a woman’s consait. There’s no let- 
up in an Injin’s watchfulness when he’s on a war-path ; and 
eyes are on us at this minute, though the lake presarves us. 
We must draw near the rock on a calculation, and indiv^r 
to get the miscreants on a false scent. The Mingoes have 
good noses, they tell me ; but a white man’s reason ought 
always to equalize their instinct.” 

Judith now entered into a desultory discourse with Deer- 
slayer, in which the girl betrayed her growing interest in 
the young man ; an interest that his simplicity of mind and 
her decision of character, sustained as it was by the con- 
sciousness awakened by the consideration her personal 
charms so universally produced, rendered her less anxious 
to conceal than might otherwise have been the case. She 
was scarcely forward in her manner, though there was some- 
times a freedom in her glances that it required all the aid 
of her exceeding beauty to prevent from awakening sus- 
picions unfavorable to her discretion, if not to her morals. 
With Deerslayer, however, these glances were rendered less 
obnoxious to so unpleasant a construction ; for she seldom 
looked at him, without discovering much of the sincerity 
and nature that accompany the purest emotions of woman. 
It was a little remarkable that, as his captivity lengthened, 
neither of the girls manifested any great concern for her 
father ; but, as has been said already, their habits gave them 
confidence, and they looked forward to his liberation, by 
means of a ransom, with a confidence that might, in a 
great degree, account for their apparent indifference. 
Once before, Hutter had been in the hands of the Iroquois, 
and a few skins had readily effected his release. This event, 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


139 


however, unknown to the sisters, had occurred in a time of 
peace between England and France, and when the savages 
were restrained, instead of being encouraged to commit their 
excesses, by the policy of the different colonial governments. 

While Judith was loquacious and caressing in her man- 
ner, Hetty remained thoughtful and silent. Once, indeed, 
she drew near to Deerslayer, and questioned him a little 
closely as to his intentions, as well as concerning the mode 
of effecting his purpose ; but her wish to converse went no 
further. As soon as her simple queries were answered — 
and answered they all were in the fullest and kindest man- 
ner— she withdrew to her seat, and continued to work on a 
coarse garment that she was making for her father, some- 
times humming a low melancholy air, and frequently sighing. 

In this manner the time passed away; and when the sun 
'was beginning to glow behind the fringe of pines that 
bounded the western hill, or about twenty minutes before 
it actually set, the ark was nearly as low as the point where 
Hutter and Hurry had been made prisoners. By steering 
first to one side of the lake and then to the other, Deer- 
slayer managed to create an uncertainty as to his object ; 
and doubtless the savages, who were unquestionably watch- 
ing his movements, were led to believe that his aim was to 
communicate with them at or near this spot, and would 
hasten in that direction, in order to be in readiness to pro- 
fit by circumstances. This artifice was well managed, since 
the sweep of the bay, the curvature of the lake, and the low, 
marshy land that intervened, would probably allow the ark 
to reach the rock before its pursuers, if really collected 
near the point, could have time to make the circuit that 
would be required to get there by land. With a view to 
aid this deception, Deerslayer stood as near the western 
shore as was at all prudent, and then, causing Judith and 
Hetty to enter the house, or cabin, and crouching himself 
so as to conceal his person by the frame of the scow, he 
suddenly threw the head of the latter round, and began to 
make the best of his way toward the outlet. Favored by 
an increase in the wind, the progress of the ark was such 
as to promise the complete success of this plan, though the 
crab-like movement of the craft compelled the helmsman 
to keep its head looking in a direction very different from 
that in which it was actually moving. 


140 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


CHAPTER IX. 

“Yet art thou prodigal of smiles — 

Smiles sweater than thy frowns are stern ; 

Earth sends from all her thousand isles, 

A shout at thy return. 

The glory that comes down from thee 

Bathes, in deep joy, the land and sea.” — The Skies. 

It may assist the reader in understanding the events we 
are about to record, if he has a rapidly sketched picture 
of the scene placed before his eyes at a single view. It 
will be remembered that the lake was an irregularly 
shaped basin, of an outline that, in the main, was oval, 
but with bay^ and points to relieve its formality and orna- 
ment its shores. The surface of this beautiful sheet of 
water was now glittering like a gem, in the last rays of the 
evening sun, and the setting of the whole — hills clothed in 
the richest forest verdure — was lighted up Avith a sort of 
radiant smile that is best described in the beautiful lines 
we have placed at the head of the chapter. As the banks, 
Avith few exceptions, rose abruptly from the water, even 
where the mountain did not immediately bound the view, 
there was a nearly unbroken fringe of leaves overhanging 
the placid lake — the trees starting out of the acclivities, 
inclining to the light, until in many instances they ex- 
tended their long limbs and straight trunks some forty or 
fifty feet beyond the line of the perpendicular. In these 
cases we allude only to the giants of the forest — pines of 
a hundred or a hundred and fifty feet in height — for, of 
the smaller growth, very many inclined so far as to steep 
their lower branches in the water. 

In the position in which the ark had now got, the castle 
was concealed from view by the projection of a point, as 
indeed was the northern extremity of the lake itself. A 
respectable mountain, forest-clad, and rounded like all the 
rest, limited the view in that direction, stretching imme- 
diately across the whole of the fair scene, with the ex- 
ception of a deep bay that passed its western end, length- 
ening the basin for more than a mile. The- manner in 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


141 

which the water flowed out of the lake, beneath the leafy 
arches of the trees that lined the sides of the stream, has 
already been mentioned, and it has also been said that the 
rock, which was a favorite place of rendezvous throughout 
all that region, and where Deerslayer now expected to 
meet his friend, stood near this outlet, and at no great 
distance from the shore. It was a large, isolated stone that 
rested on the bottom of the lake, apparently left there 
when the waters tore away the earth from around it, in 
forcing for themselves a passage down the river, and which 
had obtained its shape from the action of the elements, 
during the slow progress of centuries. The height of this 
rock could scarcely equal six feet, and, as has been said, 
its shape was not unlike that which is usually given to 
beehives or to a hay-cock. The latter, indeed, gives the 
best idea not only of its form but of its dimensions. It 
stood, and still stands — for we are writing of real scenes — 
within fifty feet of the bank, and in water that was only 
two feet in depth, though there were seasons in which its 
rounded apex, if such a term can properly be used, was 
covered by the lake. Many of the trees stretched so far 
forward as almost to blend the rock with the shore, when 
seen from a little distance ; and one tall pine in particular 
overhung it in a way to form a noble and appropriate 
canopy to a seat that had held many a forest chieftain, 
during tlie long succession of unknown ages, in which 
America and all it contained existed apart, in mysterious 
solitude, a world by itself ; equally without a familiar his- 
tory, and without an origin that the annals of man can 
reach. 

When distant some two or three hundred feet from the 
shore, Deerslayer took in his sail, and he dropped his 
grapnel, as soon as he found the ark had drifted in a line 
that was directly to windward of the rock. The motion 
of the scow was then checked, when it was brought head 
to wind by the action of the breeze. As soon as this was 
done, Deerslayer “paid out line,” and suffered the vessel 
to “ set down” upon the rock, as fast as the light air would 
force it to leeward. Floating entirely on the surface, 
this was soon effected, and the young man checked the 
drift when he was told that the stern of the scow was 
within fifteen or eighteen feet of the desired spot. 


142 


rilE DEERSLA YER. 


In executing this manoouvre, Deerslayer had proceeded 
promptly ; for while he did not in the least doubt that he 
was both watched and followed by the foe, he believed he 
had distracted their ’movements by the apparent uncer- 
tainty of his own, and he knew they could have no means 
of ascertaining that the rock was his aim, unless, indeed, 
one of the prisoners had betrayed him ; a chance so im- 
probable in itself as to give him no concern. Notwith- 
standing the celerity and decision of his movements, he 
did not, however, venture so near the shore without taking 
due precautions to effect a retreat, in the ev^ent of its be- 
coming necessary. He held the line in his hand, and Ju- 
dith was stationed at a loop on the side of the cabin next 
the shore, where she could watch the beach and the rocks, 
and give timely notice of the approach of either friend or 
foe. Hetty was also placed on the watch, but it was to 
keep the trees overhead in view, lest some enemy might 
ascend one, and, by completely commanding the interior 
of the scow, render the defences of the hut or cabin 
useless. 

The sun had disappeared from the lake and valley when 
Deerslayer checked the ark in the manner mentioned. 
Still it wanted a few minutes to the true sunset, and he 
knew Indian punctuality too well to anticipate any un- 
manly haste in his friend. The great question was, whether, 
surrounded by enemies as he was known to be, he had es- 
caped their toils. The occurrences of the last twenty- 
four hours must be a secret to him, and, like himself, Chin- 
gachgook was yet young on a war-path. It was true, he 
came prepared to encounter the party that withheld his 
promised bride, but he had no means of ascertaining the 
extent of the danger he ran, or the precise position occu- 
pied by either friends or foes. In a word, the trained sa- 
gacity and the untiring caution of an Indian were all lie 
had to rely on, amid the critical risks he unavoidably ran. 

“Is the rock empty, Judith ? ” inquired Deerslayer, as 
soon as he had checked the drift of the ark, deeming it 
imprudent to venture unnecessarily near ihe shore. “Is 
anything to be seen of the Delaware chief V 

“Nothing, Deerslayer. Neither rock, shore, tree, nor 
lake, seems to have ever held a human form.” 

“Keep close, Judith — keep close, Hetty — i riflt has a 


THE. DEERSLAYER. 


143 


pr\ iig; eye, a nimble foot, and a desperate fatal tongue. 
Keep close, then, but keep up actyve looks, and be on the 
alart. ’Twould grieve me to the heart did any harm befall 
either of you.” 

“Andyw/, Deerslayer!” exclaimed Judith, turning her 
handsome face from the loop, to bestow a gracious and 
grateful look on the young man; “ do ‘ keep close,’ 
and have a proper care that the savages do not catch a 
glimpse of you ! A bullet might be as fatal to you as to 
one of us ; and the blow that you felt would be felt by 
all.” 

“No fear of me, Judith — no fear of me, my good gal. 
Do not look this-a-way, although you look so pleasant and 
comely, but keep your eyes on the rock, and the shore, 
and the ” 

Deerslayer was interrupted by a slight exclamation from 
the girl, who, in obedience to his hurried gestures, as 
much as in obedience to his words, had immediately bent 
her looks again in the opposite direction. 

“What is’t ? what is’t, Judith?” he hastily demanded. 
“ Is anything to be seen ? ” 

“There is a man on the rock ! an Indian warrior in his 
paint, and armed ! ” 

“Where does he wear his hawk’s feather?” eagerly ad- 
ded Deerslayer, relaxing his hold of the- line, in readiness 
to drift nearer to the place of rendezvous. “ Is it fast to 
the war-lock, or does he carry it above the left ear?” 

“’Tis as you say, above the left ear ; he smiles, too, and 
mutters the word ‘ Mohican.’ ” 

“ God be praised, ’tis the Sarpent at last ! ” exclaimed 
the young man, suffering the line to slip through his 
hands, until, hearing a light bound in the other end of the 
craft, he instantly checked the rope, and began to haul it 
in again, under the assurance tluit his object was effected. 

At that moment the door of the cabin was opened hasti- 
ly, and a warrior, darting through the little room, stood at 
Deerslayer’s side, simply uttering the exclamation “Hugh!” 
At the next instant Judith and Hetty shrieked, and tlie air 
was filled with the yell of twenty savages, who came leap- 
ing through the branches down the bank, some actually 
falling headlong into the water in their haste. 

“Pull, Deerslayer,” cried Judith, hastily barring the 


144 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


door, in order to prevent an inroad by the passage through 
which the Delaware had just entered ; “pull for life and 
death — the lake is full of savages wading after us ! ” 

The young men — for Chingachgook immediately came 
to his friend’s assistance — needed no second bidding, but 
they applied themselves to their task in a way that showed 
how urgent they deemed the occasion. The great difficulty 
was in suddenly overcoming the vis inertiie of so large a 
mass ; for, once in motion, it was easy to cause the scow 
to skim the water with all the necessary speed. 

“ Pull, Deerslayer, for Heaven’s sake ! ” cried Judith 
again at the loop. “ These wretches rush into the water 
like hounds following their prey ! Ah ! — the scow moves ! 
and now the water deepens to the arm-pits of the foremost ; 
still they rush forward, and will seize the ark ! ” 

A slight scream, and then a joyous laugh followed from 
the girl ; the first produced by a desperate effort of their 
pursuers, and the last by its failure ; the scow, which had 
now got fairly in motion, glided ahead into deep water 
with a velocity that set the designs of their enemies at 
naught. As the two men were prevented by the position 
of the cabin from seeing what passed astern, they were 
compelled to inquire of the girls into the state of the chase. 

“What now, Judith ? what next ? Do the Mingoes still 
follow, or are we quit of ’em for the present ? ” demanded 
Deerslayer, when he felt the rope yielding, as if the scow 
was going fast ahead, and heard the scream and the laugh 
of the girl almost in the same breath. 

“They have vanished! — one, tlie last, is just burying 
himself in the bushes of tiie bank — there, he has disap- 
peared in the shadows of the trees ! You have got your 
friend, and we are all safe ! ” f 

The two men now made another great effort, pulled the 
ark up swiftly to the grapnel, tripped it, and when the 
scow had shot some distance, and lost its way, they let the 
anchor drop again ; then, for the first time since their 
meeting, they ceased their efforts. As the floating-house 
now lay several hundred feet from the shore, and offered 
a complete protection against bullets, there was no longer 
any danger, or any motive for immediate exertion. 

The manner in which the two friends now recognized 
each other was highly characteristic. Chingachgook, a 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


145 


noble, tall, handsome, and athletic young Indian warrior, 
first examined his rifle with care, opening the pan to make 
sure the priming was not Wet ; and, assured of this impor- 
tant fact, he next cast furtive but observant glances around 
him at the strange habitation and at the two girls ; still he 
spoke not, and most of all did he avoid the betrayal of a 
womanish curiosity by asking questions. 

“Judith and Hetty,” said Deerslayer, with an untaught, 
natural courtesy, “ this is the Mohican chief of whom you’ve 
heard me speak ; Chingachgook, as he is called, which 
signifies the Big Sarpent ; so named for his wisdom, and 
prudence, and cunning ; my ’arliest and latest friend. I 
know’d it must be he, by the kawk’s feather over the left 
ear, most other warriors wearing ’em on the war-lock.” 

As Deerslayer ceased speaking he laughed heartily, ex- 
cited more perhaps by the delight of having got his friend 
safe at his side, under circumstances so trying, than by any 
conceit that happened to cross his fancy, and exhibiting 
this outbreaking of a feeling in a manner that was a little 
remarkable, since his merriment was not accompanied by 
any noise. Although Chingachgook both understood and 
spoke English, he was unwilling to communicate Ins 
thoughts in it, like most Indians ; and when he had met 
Judith’s cordial shake of the hand, and Hetty’s milder 
salute, in the courteous manner that became a chief, he 
turned away, apparently to await the moment when it 
might suit his friend to enter into an explanation of his 
future intentions, and to give a narrative of what had 
passed since their separation. The other understood' his 
meaning, and discovered his own mode of reasoning in 
the matter by addressing the girls. 

“ This wind will soon die away altogether, now the sun 
is down,” he said, “and there is no need of rowing ag’in it. 
In half an hour or so, it will either be a flat calm or the ' 
air will come off from the south shore, when we will begin 
our journey back ag’in to the castle ; in the meanwhi’ 
the Delaware and I will talk over matters, and get con 
ideas of each other’s notions consarning the c ^ • 
ought to take.” 

No one opposed this proposition • 
into the cabin to prepare the evr 
young men took their seats c 


lO 


146 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


began to converse. The dialogue was in the language of 
the Delawares. As that dialect, however, is but little un- 
derstood, even by the learned, we shall, not only on this 
but on all subsequent occasions, render such parts as it 
may be necessary to give closely into liberal English ; 
preserving, as far as possible, the idioms and peculiarities 
of the respective speakers, by way of presenting the 
pictures in the most graphic forms to the minds of the 
readers. 

It is unnecessary to enter into the details first related by 
Deerslayer, who gave a brief narrative of the facts that are 
already familiar to those who have read our pages. In re- 
lating these events, however, it may be well to say tliat 
the speaker touched only on the outlines, more particu- 
larly abstaining from saying anything about his encounter 
with and victory over tlie Iroquois, as well as his own ex- 
ertions in behalf of the deserted young women. When 
Deerslayer ended, the Delaware took up the narrative in 
turn, speaking sententiously, and with great dignity. Elis 
account was both clear and short, nor was it embellished 
by any incidents that did not directly concern the history 
of his departure from the villages of his people, and his 
arrival in the valley of the Susquehanna. On reaching 
the latter, which was at a point only half a mile south of 
the outlet, he had soon struck a trail, which gave him no- 
tice of the probable vicinity of enemies. Being prepared 
for such an occurrence, the object of the expedition call- 
ing him directly into the neighborliood of the party of 
Iroquois that was knowm to be out, he considered the dis- 
covery as fortunate, rather than the reverse, and took the 
usual precautions to turn it to account. First following 
the river to its source, and ascertaining the position of 
the rock, he met another trail, and had actually been ho- 
vering for hours on the flanks of his enemies, watching 
equally for an opportunity to meet his mistress and to 
take a scalp ; and it may be questioned which he most 
ardently desired. He kept near the lake, and occasionally 
he ventured to some spot where he could get a view of 
''hat was passing on its surface. The ark had been seen 
watched from the moment it hove in sight, though 
^’ef was necessarily ignorant that it was to be 
Tecting the desired junction with his 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


147 


friend. The uncertainty of its movements, and the fact 
that it was unquestionably managed by white men, led 
him to conjecture the truth, however, and he held himself 
in readiness to get on board \vhenever a suitable occasion 
might offer. As the sun drew near the horizon, he re- 
paired to the rock, where, on emerging from the forest, he 
was gratified in finding the ark laying apparently in readi- 
ness to receive him. The manner of his appearance, and 
of his entrance into the craft, is known. 

Although Chingachgook had been closely watching his 
enemies for hours, their sudden and close pursuit, as he 
reached the scow, was as much a matter of surprise to 
himself as it had been to his friend. He could only ac- 
count for it by the fact of their being more numerous than 
he had at first supposed, and by their having out parties, 
of the existence of which he was ignorant. Their regular 
and permanent encampment, if the word permanent can 
be applied to the residence of a party that intended to re- 
main out, in all probability, but a few weeks, was not far 
from the spot where Hutter and Hurry had fallen into 
their hands, and, as a matter of course, near a spring. 

“ Well, Sarpent,” asked Deerslayer, when the other had 
ended his brief but spirited narrative, speaking always in 
the Delaware tongue, which, for the reader’s convenience 
only, we render into the peculiar vernacular of the 
speaker. 

“Well, Sarpent, as you’ve been scouting around these 
Mingoes, have you anything to tell us of their captyves ; 
the father of these young women and another, who, I 
somewhat conclude, is the lovyer of one of ’em?” 

“ Chingachgook has seen them. An old man and a 
young warrior — the falling hemlock and the tall pine.” 

“You’re not so much out, Delaware; you’re not so 
much out. Old Hutter is decaying, of a sartainty, though 
many solid blocks might be hewn out of his trunk yet ; 
and, as for Hurry Harry, so far as height, and strength, 
and comeliness go, he may be called the pride of the hu- 
man forest. Were the men bound, or in any manner suf- 
fering torture? I ask on account of the young women — 
vho I dare say, would be glad to know.” 

It is not so, Deerslayer. The Mingoes are too many 
to -;e their game. Some watch, some sleep, some scout, 


148 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


some hunt. The pale-faces are treated like brothers to- 
day ; to-morrow they will lose their scalps.” 

Yes, that’s red natur’, and must be submitted to ; Ju- 
dith and Hetty, here’s comforting tidings for you, the 
Delaware telling me that neither your father nor Hurry 
Harry is in suffering ; but, bating the loss of liberty, as 
well off as we are ourselves. Of course they are kept in 
the camp ; otherwise they do much as they please.” 

“I rejoice to hear this, Deerslayer,” returned Judith, 
“and now we are joined by your friend, I make no man- 
ner of question that we shall find an opportunity to ran- 
som the prisoners. If there are any women in the camp, 
I have articles of dress that will catch tlieir eyes ; and 
should^ the worst come to the worst, Ave can open the good 
chest, which I think, will be found to contain things that 
may tempt the chiefs.” 

“Judith,” said the young man, looking up at her with 
a smile, and an expression of earnest curiosity that, spite 
of the growing obscurity, did not escape the watchful 
looks of the girl, “ can you find it in your heart to part 
with your own finery to release prisoners ; even though 
one be your own father, and the other is your sworn suitor 
and lovyer ? ” 

The flush on the face of the girl arose in part from re- 
sentment, but more perhaps from a gentler and novel feel- 
ing, that, Avith the capricious Avaywardness of taste, had 
been rapidly rendering her more sensitive to the good 
opinion of the youth Avho questioned her, than to that of 
any other person. Suppressing the angry sensation with 
instinctiA'e quickness, she answered with a readiness and 
truth that caused her sister to draw near to listen, though 
the obtuse intellect of the latter Avas far from compre- 
hending the Avorkings of a heart as treacherous, as uncer- 
tain, and as impetuous in its feelings, as that of a spoiled 
and flattered beauty. 

“ Deerslayer,” ansAvered Judith, after a moment’s pause, 
“ I shall be honest Avith you. I confess that the time has 
been Avhen what you call finery Avas to me the dearest 
thing on earth ; but I begin to feel dift'erently. Though 
Hurry Harry is naught to me, nor ever can be, I Avould 
give all I OAvn to set him free. If I Avould do this for 
blustering, bullying, talking Hurry, Avho has nothing but 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


149 


good looks to recommend him, you may judge what I 
would do for my own father.” 

“ This sounds well, and is according to woman’s gifts. 
All’s me ! The same feelin’s is to be found among the 
young women of the Delawares. I’ve known ’em often 
and often sacrifice their vanity to their hearts. ’Tis as it 
should be — ’tis as it should be, I suppose, in both colors. 
Woman was created for the feelin’s, and is pretty much 
ruled by feelin’ ! ” 

“Would the savages let father go, if Judith and I gave 
them all our best things ? ” demanded Hetty, in her inno- 
cent, mild manner. 

“Their women might interfere, good Hetty; yes, their 
women might interfere with such an ind in view. 5nt, tell 
me, Sarpent, how is it as to squaws among the knaves ; 
have they many of their own women in the camp ?” 

The Delaware heard and understood all that passed ; 
though with Indian gravity and finesse he had sat, with 
averted face, seemingly inattentive to a discourse in which 
he had no direct concern. Thus appealed to, however, 
he answered his friend in his ordinary sententious manner. 

“Six,” he said, holding up all the fingers of one hand 
and the thumb of the other; “besides thisJ' The last 
number denoted his betrothed ; whom, with the poetry 
and truth of nature, he described by laying his hand on 
his own heart. 

“ Did you see her, chief — did you get a glimpse of her 
pleasant countenance, or come close enough to her ear, 
to sing in it the song she loves to hear ? ” 

“ No, Deerslajer— the trees were too many and leaves 
covered their boughs, like clouds hiding the heavens, in a 
storm. But” — and the young warrior turned his face 
toward his friend, with a smile on it that illuminated its 
fierce-looking paint, and naturally stern lineaments, with 
a bright gleam of human feeling — “ Chingachgook heard 
the laugh of Wah-ta !-Wah ; he knew it from the laugh of 
the women of the Iroquois. It sounded in his ears like 
the chirp of the wren.” 

“ Ay, trust a lover’s ear for that ; and a Delaware’s ear 
for all sounds that are ever heard in the woods. I know 
not why it is so, Judith, but when young men — and I dares 
to say it may be all the same with young women, too — but 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


150 

when they get to have kind feelin’s toward each other it’s 
wonderful how pleasant they laugh, or the speech becomes 
to the other person. I’ve seen grim warriors listening to 
the chattering and the laughing of young gals as if it was 
church-music ; such as is heard in the old Dutch church 
that stands in the great street of Albany, where I’ve been 
more than once, with peltry and game.” 

And you, Deerslayer,” said Judith, quickly, and with 
more sensibility than marked her usually light and thought- 
less manner ; \\n\Q yoti never felt how pleasant it is to listen 
to the laugh of the girl you love ? ” 

“ Lord bless you, gal ! why, I’ve never lived enough 
among my own color to drop into them sort of feelin’s — 
no, never! I dares to say, they are nat’ral and right ; but 
to me there’s no music so sweet as the sighing of the wind 
in tlie tree-tops, and the rippling of a stream from a full 
sparkling natyve fountain of pure fresh water ; unless, in- 
deed,” he continued, dropping his head for an instant in 
a thoughtful manner — -‘‘unless, indeed, it be the open 
mouth of a sartain hound, when I’m on the track of a fat 
buck. As for unsartain dogs, I care little for their cries, 
seein’ they are as likely to speak when the deer is not in 
sight as when it is.” 

Judith walked slowly and pensively away, nor was there 
any of her ordinary calculating coquetry in the light, 
tremulous sigh that, unconsciously to herself, arose to her 
lips. On the other hand, Hetty listened with guileless at- 
tention ; though it struck her simple mind as singrdar that 
the young man should prefer the melody of the woods to 
the songs of girls, or even to the laugh of innocence and joy. 
Accustomed, however, to defer in most things to her sister, 
she soon followed Judith into the cabin, where she took a 
seat, and remained pondering intensely over some occur- 
rence, or resolution, or opinion, which was a secret to all 
but herself. Left alone, Deerslayer and his friend resumed 
their discourse. 

“ Has the young pale-face hunter been long on this 
lake?” demanded the Delaware, after courteously waiting 
for the other to speak first. 

“Only since yesterday noon, Sarpent ; though that has 
been long enough to see and do much.” 

The gaze that the Indian fastened on his companion 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


151 

was so keen'that it seemed to mock the gathering dark- 
ness of the night. As the other furtively returned his look, 
he saw the two black eyes glistening on him like the balls 
of the panther, or those of the penned wolf. He under- 
stood the meaning of this glowing gaze, and answered eva- 
sively, as he fancied would best become the modesty of a 
white man’s gifts. 

“’Tis as you suspect, Sarpent ; yes, ’tis somewhat that- 
a-way. I have fell in with the inimy, and I suppose it may 
be said I’ve font them, too.” 

An exclamation of delight and exultation escaped the 
Indian ; and then, laying his hand eagerly on the arm of 
his friend, he asked if there were any scalps taken. 

“ That I will maintain, in the face of all the Delaware 
tribe, old Tamenund, and your father the great Uncas, as 
well as the rest, is ag’in white gifts ! My scalp is on my 
head, as you can see, Sarpent, and that was the only 
scalp that was in danger, when one side was altogether 
Christian and white.” 

“ Did no warrior fall ? — Deerslayer did not get his name 
by being slow of sight, or clumsy with the rilie !” 

“In that particular, chief, you’re nearer reason, and, 
therefore, nearer being right. I may say one Mingo fell.” 

“A chief?” demanded the other, with startling vehe- 
mence. 

“Nay, that’s more than I know or can say. He was 
artful, and treacherous, and stout-hearted, and may well 
have gained popularity enough with his people to be 
named to that rank. The man fou’t well, though his eye 
wasn’t quick enough for one who had had his schooling in 
your company, Delaware.” 

“ My brother and friend struck the body ?” 

“That was uncalled for, seeing that the Mingo died in 
my arms. The truth may as well be said at once ; he fou’t 
like a man of red gifts, and I fou’t like a man with gift^of 
my own color. God gave me the victory ; I couldn’t fly 
in the face of his providence by forgetting my birth and 
natur’. White he made me, and white I shall live and 
die.” 

“Good! Deerslayer is ti pale-face, and has pale-face 
hands. A Delaware will look for the scalp, and hang it 
on a pole, and sing a song in his honor, when we go back 


152 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


to our people. The honor belongs to the tribe ; it must 
not be lost.” 

“This is easy talking, but ’twill not be as easy doing. 
The Mingo’s body is in the hands of his fri’nds, and, no 
doubt, is hid in some hole, where Delaware cunning will 
never be able to get at the scalp.” 

The young man then gave his friend a succinct but clear 
account of the event of the morning, concealing nothing 
of any moment, and yet touching on everytliing modestly, 
and with a careful attention to avoid the Indian habit of 
boasting. Chingachgook again expressed his satisfaction 
at the honor won by his friend, and then both arose, the 
hour having arrived when it became prudent to move the 
ark further from the land. 

It was now quite dark, the heavens having become 
clouded, and the stars hid. The north wind had ceased, 
as was usual, with the setting of the sun, and a light air 
arose from the south. This change favoring the design of 
Deerslayer, he lifted his grapnel, and the scow immedi- 
ately and quite perceptibly began to drift more into the 
lake. The sail was set, wlien the motion of the raft in- 
creased to a rate not muclt less than two miles in the hour. 
As this superseded the necessity of rowing — an occupation 
which an Indian would not be likely to desire — Deerslayer, 
Chingachgook, and Judith, seated themselves in the stern 
of the scow, where the first governed its movements by 
holding the oar. Here they discoursed on their future 
movements, and on the means that ought to be used in 
order to effect the liberation of their friends. 

In this dialogue Judith held a material part ; the Dela- 
ware readily understanding all she said, while his own re- 
plies and remarks, both of which were few'' and pithy, w’ere 
occasionally rendered into English by his friend. Judith 
rose greatly in the estimation of her companions in the 
half hour that followed. Prompt of resolution and firm of 
purpose, her suggestions and expedients partook of her 
spirit and sagacity, both of Vvhich were of a character to 
find favor with men of the frontier. The events that had 
occurred since their meeting, as well as her isolated and 
dependent situation, induced the girl to feel toward Deer- 
slayer like the friend of a year, instead of tin acquaintance 
of a day ; and so completely had she been won by his guile- 


THE DEER SLA YEK, 


153 


less truth of character and of feeling — pure novelties in 
our sex, as respected her own experience — that his peculi- 
arities excited her curiosity, and created a confidence that 
had never been awakened by any other man. Hitherto she 
had been compelled to stand on the defensive in her inter- 
course with men — witli what success was best known to 
herself ; but here had she been suddenly thrown into the 
society and under the protection of a youth who evidently 
as little contemplated evil toward herself as if he had been 
her brother. The freshness of his integrity, the poetry and 
truth of his feelings, and even the quaintness of his forms 
of speech, all had their influence and aided in awakening 
an interest that she found as pure as it was sudden and 
deep. Hurry’s fine face and manly form had never com- 
pensated for his boisterous and vulgar turn ; and her inter- 
course with the officers had prepared her to make compar- 
isons under which even his great natural advantages 
suffered. But this very intercourse with the officers who 
occasionally came upon the lake to fish and hunt, had an 
effect in producing her present sentiments toward the 
young stranger. With them, while her vanity had been 
gratified, and her self-love strongly awakened, she had many 
causes deeply to regret the acquaintance — if not to mourn 
over it in secret sorrow — for it was impossible for one 
of her quick intellect not to perceive how hollow was the 
association between superior and inferior, and that she was 
regarded as the plaything of an idle hour, rather than as 
an equal and a friend, even by the best-intentioned and 
least designing of her scarlet-clad admirers. Deerslayer, 
on the other hand, had a window in his breast through 
which the light of his honesty was ever shining ; and even 
his indifference to charms that so rarely failed to produce 
a sensation piqued the pride of the girl, and gave him an 
interest that another, seemingly more favored by Nature, 
might have failed to excite. 

In this manner half an hour passed, during which time 
the ark had been slowly stealing over the water, the dark- 
ness thickening around it ; though it was easy to see that 
the gloom of the forest at the southern end of the lake was 
getting to be distant, while the mountains that lined the 
sides of the beautiful basin were overshadowing it, nearly 
from side to side. There was, indeed, a narrow strip of 


154 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


water, in the centre of the lake, where the dim light that 
was still shed from the heavens fell upon its surfaee, in a 
line extending north and south ; and along this faint tract 
— a sort of inverted milky-way, in which the obscurity 
was not quite as dense as in other places — the scow held 
her course, he who steered well knowing that it led in the 
direction he wished it to go. The reader is not to suppose, 
howev’^er, that any difficulty could exist as to the course. 
This would have been determined by that of air, had it not 
been possible to distinguish in the mountains, as well as by 
the dim opening to the south, which marked tlie position 
of the valley in that quarter, above the plain of tall trees, 
by a sort of lessened obscurity ; the difference between the 
darkness of the forest, and that of the night, as seen only 
in the air. The peculiarities at length caught the attention 
of Judith and the Deerslayer, and the conversation ceased, 
to allow each to gaze at the solemn stillness and deep re- 
pose of Nature. 

“ ’Tis a gloomy night,” observed the girl, after a pause 
of several minutes. “ I hope we shall be able to find the 
castle.” 

“ Little fear of our missing that^ if we keep this path, 
in the middle of the lake,” returned the young man. 
“ Natur’ has made us a road here, and, dim as it is, there’ll 
be little difficulty in following it.” 

“ Do you hear nothing, Deerslayer ? It seems as if the 
water was stirring quite near us.” 

“ Sartainly something did move the water, oncommon 
like ; it must have been a fish. Them creatur’s prey upon 
each other like men and animals on the land ; one has 
leaped into the air, and fallen back hard into his own ele- 
ment. ’Tis of little use, Judith, for any to strive to get 
out of their elements, since it’s natur’ to stay in ’em ; and 
Natur’ will have its way. Ha! /to sounds like a paddle, 
used with more than common caution ! ” 

At this moment the Delaware bent forward and pointed 
significantly into the boundary of the gloom, as if some 
object had suddenly caught his eye. Both Deerslayer and 
Judith followed the direction of his gesture, and each got a 
view of a canoe at the same instant. The glimpse of this 
startling neighbor was dim and, to eyes less practised, it 
might have been uncertain, though to those in the ark the 


THE DEERS LAYER. 


155 


object was evidently a canoe, with a single individual in it, 
the latter standing erect and paddling. How many lay 
concealed in its bottom, of course could not be known. 
Flight, by means of oars, from a bark canoe impelled by 
vigorous and skilful hands, was utterly impracticable, and 
each of the men seized his rifle in expectation of a conflict. 

“ I can easily bring down the paddler,” whispered Deer- 
slayer, “ but we’ll first hail him and ask his ar’nd.” Then, 
raising his voice, he continued in a solemn manner : 
“ Hold ! If you come nearer I must fire, though contrary 
to my w'ishes, and then sartain death will follow. Stop 
paddling, and answer ! ” 

“ Fire, and slay a poor defenceless girl,” returned a soft, 
tremulous female voice, “and God will never forgive you ! 
Go your way, Deerslayer, and let me go mine.” 

“Hetty!” exclaimed the young man and Judith in a 
breath ; and the former sprang instantly to the spot where 
he had left the canoe they had been towing. It was gone, 
and he understood the whole affair. As for the fugitive, 
frightened at the menace, she ceased paddling and re- 
mained dimly visible, resembling a spectral outline of a 
human form, standing on the water. At the next moment 
the sail was lowered to prevent the ark from passing the 
spot where the canoe lay. This last expedient, however, 
was not taken in time ; for the momentum of so heavy a 
craft and the impulsion of the air soon set her by, bring- 
ing Hetty directly to windward, though still visible, as the 
change in the positions of the two boats now placed her 
in that species of milky-way which has been mentioned. 

“What can this mean, Judith ?” demanded Deerslayer, 
“Why has your sister taken the canoe, and left us.” 

“You know she is feeble-minded, poor girl! and she 
has her own ideas of what ought to be done. She loves 
her father more than most children love their parents — and 
then ” 

“ Then what, gal ? This is a trying moment ; one in 
which truth must be spoken ?” 

Judith felt a generous and womanly regret at betraying 
her sister, and she hesitated ere she spoke again. But 
once more urged by Deerslayer, and conscious herself of 
all the risks the whole party was running by the indiscre- 
tion of Hetty, she could refrain no longer. 


156 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


“ Then, I fear, poor, weak-minded Hetty has not been 
altogether able to see the vanity, and madness, and folly, 
that lie hid behind the handsome face and fine form of 
Hurry Harry. She talks of him in her sleep and some- 
times betrays the inclination in her waking moments.” 

“You think, Judith, that your sister is now bent on some 
mad scheme to serve her father and Hurry, which will, in 
all likelihood, give them riptyles, the Mingoes, the master- 
ship of a canoe ? ” 

“ Such, I fear, will turn out to be the fact, Deerslayer. 
Poor Hetty has hardly sufficient cunning to outwit a savage.” 

All this while the canoe, with the form of Hetty erect in 
one end of it, was dimly perceptible, though the greater 
drift of the ark rendered it at each instant less and less 
distinct. It was evident no time was to be lost, lest it 
should altogether disappear. The rifles were now laid 
aside as useless, the two men seizing the oars, and sweep- 
ing the head of the scow round in the direction of the 
canoe. Judith, accustomed to the office, flew to the other 
end of the ark and placed herself at what might be called 
the helm. Hetty took the alarm at these preparations 
which could not be made without noise, and started off 
like a bird that had been suddenly put up by the approach 
of unexpected danger. 

As Deerslayer and his companion rowed with the energy 
of those who felt the necessity of straining every nerve, 
and Hetty’s strength was impaired by a nervous desire 
to escape, the chase would have quickly terminated in 
the capture of the fugitive had not the girl made sev- 
eral short and unlooked-for deviations in her course. 
These turnings gave her time, and they had also the effect 
of gradually bringing both the canoe and ark within the 
deeper gloom cast by the shadows from the hills. They 
also gradually increased the distance between the fugitive 
and her pursuers, until Judith called out to her companions 
to cease rowing, for she had cu i pletel}; -ust sight of the 
canoe. . 

When this mortifying announcement was madf", Heitv- 
was actually so near as to understand every syllabic hr 
sister uttered, though the latter had used the precautim 
of speaking as low as circumstances would allow her to d . 
and make herself heard. Hetty stopped paddling at the 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


157 


same moment, and waited the result with an impatience 
that was breathless, equally from her late exertions and 
her desire to land. A dead silence immediately fell on 
the lake, during which the three in the ark were using 
their senses differently in order to detect the position of 
the canoe. Juditfi leaned forward to listen, in the hope of 
catching some s((>und that might betray the direction in 
which her sister ("was stealing away; while her two com- 
panions broug^' their eyes as near as possible to a level 
with the water, in order to detect any object that might be 
floating on its surface. All was vain, however, or neither 
sound or sight rewarded their efforts. All this time, Hetty, 
who had not the cunning to sink into the canoe, stood 
erect, a finger pressed on her lips, gazing in the direction 
in which the voices had been heard, resembling a statue of 
profound and timid attention. Her ingenuity had barely 
sufficed to enable her to seize the canoe and to quit the 
ark in the noiseless manner related, and then it appeared 
to be momentarily exhausted. Even the doubling of the 
canoe had been as much the consequence of an uncertain 
hand, and of nervous agitation, as of any craftiness or cal- 
culation. 

The pause continued several minutes, during which 
Deerslayer and the Delaware conferred together in the 
language of the latter. Then the oars dipped again, and 
the ark moved away, rowing with as little noise as possible. 
It steered westward, a little southerly, or in the direction 
of the encampment of the enemy. Flaving reached a point 
at no great distance from the shore, and \yhere the obscu- 
rity was intense, on account of the proximity of the land, it 
lay there near an hour, in waiting for the expected ap- 
proach of Hetty, who, it was thought, would make the 
best of her way to that spot as soon as she believed herself 
relieved from the danger of pursuit. No success rewarded 
this little blockade, however, neither appearance nor sound 
denoting the passage of the canoe. Disappointed at this 
failure, and conscious of the importance of getting posses- 
sion of the fortress before it could be seized by the enemy, 
Deerslayer now" took his w"ay tow^ard the castle, with the 
apprehension that all his foresight in securing the canoes 
would be defeated by this unguarded and alarming move- 
ment on the part of the feeble-minded Hetty. 


158 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


CHAPTER X. 

“ But who in this wild-wood 

May credit give to either eye or ear ? 

From rocky precipice to hollow cave, 

’Mid the confused sound of rustling leaves, 

And crackling boughs, and cries of nightly birds. 

Returning seeming answer.” — Joanna Baii.lie. 

Fear, as much as calculation, had induced Hetty to 
cease paddling, when she found that her pursuers did not 
know in which direction to proceed. She remained station- 
ary until the ark had pulled in near the encampment, as 
has been related in the preceding chapter, when she re- 
sumed the paddle, and with cautious strokes made the 
best of her way toward tlie western shore. In order to 
avoid her pursuers, however, who, she rightly suspected, 
would soon be rowing along that shore themselves, the 
head of the canoe was pointed so far north as to bring her 
to land on a point that thrust itself into the lake at the 
distance of nearly a league from the outlet. Nor was this 
altogether the result of a desire to escape ; for feeble-mind- 
ed as she was, Hetty H utter had a good deal of that in- 
stinctive caution which so often keeps those whom God 
has thus visited from harm. She was perfectly aware of 
the importance of keeping the canoes from falling into the 
hands of the Iroquois ; and long familiarity with the lake 
had suggested one of the simplest expedients by which 
this great object could be rendered compatible with her 
own' purpose. 

The point in question was the first projection that offered 
on that side of the lake where a canoe, if set adrift with a 
southerly air, would float clear of the land, and where it 
would be no great violation of probabilities to suppose it 
might even liit the castle, the latter lying above it, almost 
in a direct line with the wind. Such, then, was Hetty’s 
intention ; and she landed on the extremity of the gravelly 
point, beneath an overhanging oak, with the express in- 
tention of shoving the canoe off from the shore, in order 
that it might drift up toward her father’s insulated abode. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


159 


She knew, too, from the logs that occasionally floated 
about the lake, that, did it miss the castle and its appen- 
dages, the wind would be likely to change before the canoe 
could reach the northern extremity of the lake, and that 
Deerslayer might have an opportunity of regaining it in 
the morning, when no doubt he would be earnestly sweep- 
ing the surface of the water, and the whole of its wooded 
shores, with the glass. In all this, too, Hetty was less 
governed by any chain of reasoning than by her habits, 
the latter often supplying the defects of mind in human 
beings, as they perform the same office for animals of the 
inferior classes. 

The girl was quite an hour finding her way to the point, 
the distance and the obscurity equally detaining her ; but 
she was no sooner on the gravelly beach than she prepared 
to set the canoe adrift in the manner mentioned. While 
in the act of pushing it from her, she heard low voices that 
seemed to come from among the trees behind her. Star- 
tled at this unexpected danger, Hetty was on the point of 
springing into the canoe again, in order to seek safety in 
flight, when she thought she recognized the tones of Ju- 
dith’s melodious voice. Bending forward so as to catch 
the sounds more directly, they evidently came from the 
water ; and then she understood that the ark was approach- 
ing from the south, and so close in with the western shore 
as necessarily to cause it to pass the point within twenty 
yards of the spot where she stood. Here, then, was all she 
could desire ; the canoe was shoved off into the lake, leav- 
ing its late occupant alone on the narrow strand. 

When this act of self-devotion was performed Hetty did 
not retire. The foliage of the overhanging trees and 
bushes would have almost concealed her person, had there 
been light ; but in that obscurity it was utterly impossible 
to discover any object thus shaded at the distance of a few 
feet. Flight, too, was perfectly easy, as twenty steps would 
effectually bury her in the forest. She remained, there- 
fore, watching with intense anxiety the result of her expe- 
dient, intending to call the attention of the others to the 
canoe with her voice should they appear to pass without 
observing it. The ark approached under its sail again, 
Deerslayer standing in its bow, with Judith near him, and 
the Delaware at the helm. It would seem that in the bay 


t6o 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


below it had got too close to the shore, in the lingering 
hope of intercepting Hetty, for as it came near the latter 
distinctly heard the direction that the young man forward 
gave to his companion in order to clear the point. 

“Lay her head more olf the shore, Delaware,” said 
Deerslayer, for the third time, speaking in English, that 
his fair companion might understand his words, “lav 
her head well off shore. We have got embayed here, and 
needs keep the mast clear of the trees — Judith, there’s a 
canoe ! ” 

The last words were uttered with great earnestness, 
and Deerslayer’s hand was on his rifle ere they were fairly 
out of his mouth. But the truth flashed on the mind 
of the quick-witted girl, and she instantly told her com- 
panion that the boat must be that in which her sister had 
fled. 

“ Keep the scow straight, Delaware ; steer as straight 
as your bullet flies when sent ag’in a buck ; there, I have 
it ! ” 

The canoe was seized, and immediately secured again to 
the side of the ark. At the next moment the sail \vas 
lowered, and the motion of the ark arrested, by means of 
the oars. 

“ Hetty ! ” called out Judith, concern, even affection, be- 
traying itself in her tones ; “are you wdthin hearing, sis- 
ter — for God’s sake answer, and let me hear the sound of 
your voice again ! Hetty — dear Hetty ! ” 

“ I’m here, Judith — here on the shore, where it will be 
useless to follow me, as I will hide in the woods.” 

“ O Hetty ! what is’t you do ? Remember, ’tis drawing 
near midnight, and the woods are filled with savages and 
wild beasts ! ” 

“Neither will harm a poor, half-witted girl, Judith. 
God is as much with me here as He would be in the ark 
or in the hut. I am going to help my father and poor 
Hurry Harry, who will be tortured and slain unless some 
one cares for them.” 

“We all care for them, and intend to-morrow to send 
them a flag of truce to buy their ransom. Come back, 
then, sister ; trust to us, who have better^ heads than you, 
and who will do all we can for father.” 

“ I know your head is better than mine, Judith, for mine 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


i6i 


is very weak, to be sure ; but I must go to father and poor 
Hurry. Do you and Deerslayer, keep the castle, sister ; 
leave me in the hands of God.” 

“God is with us all, Hetty — in the castle, or on the 
shore — father as well as ourselves ; and it is sinful not to 
trust to His goodness. You can do nothing in the dark, 
will lose your way in the forest, and perish for want of 
food.” 

“ God will not let that happen to a poor child that goes 
to serve her father, sister. I must try and find the sav- 
ages.” 

“ Come back, for this night only ; in the morning we 
will put you ashore, and leave you to do as you may think 
right.” 

“You say so, Judith, and you think so ; but you would 
not. Your heart would soften, and you’d see tomahawks 
and scalping-knives in the air. Besides, I’ve got a thing 
to tell the Indian chief that will answer all our wishes; 
and I’m afraid I may forget it if I don’t tell it to him at 
once. You’ll see that he will let father go as soon as he 
hears it ! ” 

“ Poor Hetty! What C2ix\. you say to a ferocious savage 
that will be likely to change his bloody purpose ? ” 

“ That which will frighten him and make him let father 
go,” returned the simple-minded girl positively. “ You’ll- 
see, sister ; you’ll see how soon it will bring him to, like a 
gentle child ! ” 

“ Will you tell me^ Hetty, what you intend to say ? ” 
asked Deerslayer ; “ I know the savages well, and can form 
some idee how far fair words will be likely or not to work 
on their bloody natur’s. If it’s not suited to the gifts of 
a red-skin, ’twill be of no use ; for reason goes by gifts as 
well as conduct.” 

“Well, then,” answered Hetty, dropping her voice to a 
low, confidential tone— for the stillness ot the night and 
the nearness of the ark permitted her to do this and still to 
be heard — “ well, tlien, Deerslayer, as you seem a good and 
honest young man, I will tell you. I mean not to say a 
word to any of the savages, until I get face to face with 
their head chief, let them plague me with as many ques- 
tions as they please ; no — I’ll answer none of them, unless 
it be to tell them to lead me to their wisest man. Them 


II 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


162 

Deerslayer, I’ll tell him that God will not forgive murder 
and thefts ; and that, if father and Hurry did go after the 
scalps of the Iroquois, he must return good for evil, for so 
the Bible commands, else he will go into everlasting pun- 
ishment. When he hears this and feels it to be true, as 
feel it he must, how long will it be before he sends father, 
and Hurry, and me to the shore opposite the castle, tell- 
ing us all three to go our way in peace ?” 

The last question was put in a triumphant manner ; and 
then the simple-minded girl laughed at the impression she 
never doubted that her project had made on her auditors. 
Deerslayer was dumbfounded at this proof of guileless 
feebleness of mind ; but Judith had suddenly bethought 
her of a means of counteracting this wild project by acting 
on the very feelings that had given it birth. Without ad- 
verting to the closing question or the laugh, therefore, 
she hurriedly called to her sister by name as one suddenly 
impressed with the importance of what she had to say. 
But no answer was given to the call. 

By the snapping of twigs and the rustling of leaves 
Hetty had evidently quitted the shore, and was already 
burying herself in the forest. To follow would have been 
bootless, since the darkness, as well as the dense cover 
that the woods everywhere afforded, would have rendered 
her capture next to impossible ; and there was also the 
never-ceasing danger of falling into the hands of their ene- 
mies. After a short and melancholy discussion, therefore, 
the sail was again set, and the ark pursued its course to- 
ward its habitual moorings, Deerslayer silently felicitating 
himself on the recovery of the canoe, and brooding over 
his plans for to-morrow. The wind rose as the party quitted 
the point, and in less than an hour they reached the castle. 
Here all was found as it had been left ; and the reverse of 
tlie ceremonies had to be taken in entering the building 
that had been used on quitting it. Judith occupied a soli- 
tary bed that night, bedewing the pillow with her tears as 
she thought of the innocent and hitherto neglected crea- 
ture who had been her companion from childhood ; and 
bitter regrets came over her mind, from more causes than 
one, as the weary hours passed away, making it nearly 
morning before she lost her recollection in sleep. Deer- 
slayer and the Delaware took their rest in the ark, where 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


163 

we shall leave them enjoying the deep sleep of the honest, 
the healthful, and fearless, to return to the girl we have 
last seen in the midst of the forest. 

When Hetty left the shore she took her way unhesitat- 
ingly into the woods, with a nervous apprehension of being 
followed. Luckily, this course was the best she could 
have hit on to effect her own purpose, since it was the 
only one that led her from the point. The night was so 
intensely dark beneath the branches of the trees that her 
progress was very slow, and the direction she went alto- 
gether a matter of chance after the first few yards. The 
formation of the ground, however, did not permit her to 
deviate far from the line in which she desired to proceed. 
On one hand it was soon bounded by the acclivity of the 
hill ; while the lake on the other served as a guide. For 
t'wo hours did this single-hearted and simple-minded girl 
toil through the mazes of the forest ; sometimes finding 
herself on the brow of the bank that bounded the water, 
and at others struggling up an ascent that warned her to 
go no farther in that direction, since it necessarily ran at 
right angles to the course on which she wished to proceed. 
Her feet often slid from beneath her, and she got many 
falls, though none to do her injury ; but by the end of the 
period mentioned, she had become so weary as to want 
strength to go any farther. Rest was indispensable ; and 
she set about preparing a bed with the readiness and cool- 
ness of one to whom the wilderness presented no unnec- 
essary terrors. She knew that wild beasts roamed through 
all the adjacent forest, but animals that preyed on the 
human species were rare, and of dangerous serpents there 
were literally none. These facts had been taught her by 
her father ; and whatever her feeble mind received at all, 
it received so confidingly as to leave her no uneasiness 
from any doubt or skepticism. To her the sublimity of 
the solitude in which she was placed was soothing rather 
than appalling ; and she gathered a bed of leaves, with as 
much indifference to the circumstances that would have 
driven the thoughts of sleep entirely from the minds of 
most of her sex, as if she had been preparing her place of 
nightly rest beneath the paternal roof. 

As soon as Hetty had collected a sufficient number of 
the dried leaves to protect her person from the damps of 


104 


THE . DEER SLA YER. 


the ground, ^he kneeled beside the humble pile, clasped 
her raised hands in an attitude of deep devotion, and in a 
soft, low, but audible voice, repeated the Lord s Prayer. 
This was followed by those simple and devout verses, so 
familiar to children, in which she recommended her soul 
to God should it be called away to another state of existence 
ere the return of morning. This duty done, she lay down 
and disposed herself to sleep. The attire of the girl, 
though suited to the season, was sufficiently warm for all 
ordinary purposes ; but the forest is erer cool, and the 
nights of that elevated region of country have always a 
freshness about them that renders clothing more necessary 
than is commonly the case in the summer of a low latitude. 
This had been foreseen by Hetty, wlio had brought with 
her a coarse, heavy mantle, which, when laid over her 
body, answered all the useful purposes of a blanket. Thus 
protected, she dropped asleep in a few minutes astranquilly 
as if watched over by the guardian care of that mother 
who had so recently been taken from her forever — afford- 
ing, in this particular, a most sti iking contrast between 
her own humble couch and the sleepless pillow of her 
sister. 

Hour passed after hour, in a tranquillity as undisturbed 
and a rest as sweet as if angels, expressly commissioned 
for that object, watched around the bed of Hetty Hutter. 
Not once did her soft eyes open until the gray of the 
dawm came struggling through the tops of the trees, fall- 
ing on their lids, and, united to the freshness of a summer’s 
morning, giving the usual summons to awake. Ordinar- 
ily, Hetty was up ere the rays of the sun tipped the sum- 
mits of the mountains ; but on this occasion her fatigue 
had been so great, and her rest was so profound, that 
the customary warnings failed of their effect. The girl 
murmured in her sleep, threw an arm forward, smiled as 
gently as an infant in its cradle, but still slumbered. In 
making this unconscious gesture, her hand fell on some ob- 
ject that was warm, and, in the half-iinconscious state in 
which she lay, she connected the circumstance with her 
habits. At the next moment, a rude attack was made on 
her side, as if a rooting animal were thrusting its snout be- 
neath, with a desire to force her position ; and then, utter- 
ing the name of “ Judith,” she awoke. As the startled girl 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


arose to a sitting attitude, she perceived that some dark 
object sprang from her, scattering the leaves and snapping 
the fallen twigs 'in its haste. Opening her eyes, and re- 
covering from the first confusion and astonishment of her 
situation, Hetty perceived a cub, of the common American 
brown bear, balancing itself on its hinder legs, and still 
looking toward her, as if doubtful whether it would be 
safe to trust itself near her person again. The first im- 
pulse of Hetty, who had been mistress of several of these 
cubs, was to run and seize the little creature as a prize, but 
a loud growl warned her of the danger of such a proced- 
ure. Recoiling a few steps, the girl looked hurriedly 
around, and perceived the dam watching her movements 
with fiery eyes at no great distance. A hollow tree, that 
had once been the home of bees, having recently fallen, 
the mother, with two more cubs, was feasting on the dainty 
food that this accident had placed within her reach ; while 
the first kept a jealous eye on the situation of its truant 
and reckless young. 

It would exceed all the means of human knowledge tt> 
pretend to analyze the influences that govern the acts of 
the lower animals. On this occasion, the dam, tliough 
proverbially fierce when its young is thought to be in dan- 
ger, manifested no intention to attack the girl. It quitted 
the honey, and advanced to a place within twenty feet of 
her, where it raised itself on its hinder legs, and balanced 
its body in a sort of angry growling discontent, but ap- 
proached no nearer. Happily, Hetty did not fly. On the 
contrary, though not without terror, she knelt with her 
face toward the animal, and, with clasped hands and up- 
lifted eyes, repeated the prayer of the previous night. This 
act of devotion was not the result of alarm ; it was a duty 
she never neglected to perform ere she slept and when the 
return of consciousness awoke her to the business of the 
day. As the girl arose from her knees, the bear dropped 
on its feet again, and collecting its cubs around her, per- 
mitted them to draw their natural sustenance. Hetty was 
delighted with this proof of terderness in an animal that 
has but a very indifferent reputation for the gentler feel- 
ings ; and as a cub would quit its mother to frisk and leap 
about in wantonness, she felt a strong desire again to catch 
it up in her arms and play with it. But admonished by 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


1 66 

the growl, she* had self-command sufficient not to put this 
dangerous project in execution ; and recollecting her er- 
rand among the hills, she tore herself away from the group 
and proceeded on her course, along the margin of the lake, 
of which she now caught glimpses again through the trees. 
To her surprise, though not to her alarm, the family of 
bears arose and followed her steps, keeping a distance be- 
hind her ; apparently watching every movement, as if tliey 
had a near interest in all she did. 

In this manner, escorted by the dam and cubs, the 
girl proceeded nearly a mile, thrice the distance she had 
been able to achieve in the darkness during the same 
period of time. She then reached a brook that had dug a 
channel for itself into the earth and went brawling into 
the lake between steep and high banks covered with trees. 
Here Hetty performed her ablutions ; then, drinking of 
the pure mountain water, she went her way, refreshed and 
lighter of heart, still attended by her singular companions. 
Her course now lay along a broad and nearly level terrace, 
which stretched from the top of the bank that bounded the 
water to a low acclivity that rose to a second and irregular 
platform above. This was at a part of the valley where 
the mountains ran obliquely, forming the commencement 
of a plain that spread between the hills southward of the 
sheet of water. Hetty knew, by this circumstance, that 
she was getting near to the encampment ; and had she 
not, the bears would have given her warning of the vicinity 
of human beings. Snuffing the air, the dam refused to 
follow any farther, though the girl looked back and invited 
her to come by childish signs, and even by direct appeals 
made in her own sweet voice. It was while making her 
way slowly through some bushes in this manner, with 
averted face and eyes riveted on the immovable animals, 
that the girl suddenly found her steps arrested by a human 
hand that was laid lightly on her shoulder. 

“ Where go ?” said a soft female voice, speaking hurried- 
ly, and in concern. “Indian — red man — savage — wicked 
warrior— that a-way.” 

This unexpected salutation alarmed the girl no more 
than the presence of the fierce inhabitants of the woods. 
It took her a little by surprise, it is true, but she was in a 
measure prepared for some such meeting ; and the creature 


THE DEEKSLA YER. 


167 


who stopped her was as little likely to excite terror as any 
who ever appeared in the guise of an Indian. It was a girl 
not much older than herself, whose smile was sunny as 
Judith’s in her brightest moments, whose voice was melody 
itself, and whose accents and manner had all the rebuked 
gentleness that characterizes the sex among a people who 
habitually treat their women as the attendants and servi- 
tors of the warriors. Beauty among the women of the ab- 
original Americans before they have become exposed to 
the hardships of wives and mothers is by no means un- 
common. In this particular, the original owners of the 
country were not unlike their more civilized successors ; 
Nature appearing to have bestowed that delicacy of mien 
and outline that forms so great a charm in the youthful fe- 
male, but of which they are so early deprived ; and that, 
too, as much by the habits of domestic life as from any 
other cause. 

The girl who had so suddenly arrested the steps of Hetty 
was dressed in a calico mantle that effectually protected 
all the upper part of her person, while a short petticoat of 
blue cloth edged with gold lace, that fell no lower than her 
knees, leggings of the same, and moccasins of deer-skin, 
completed her attire. Her hair fell in long dark braids 
down her shoulders and back, and was parted above a low, 
smooth forehead, in a way to sbften the expression of eyes 
that were full of archness and natural feeling. Her face 
was oval, with delicate features ; the teeth were even and 
white ; while the mouth expressed a melancholy tender- 
ness, as if it wore this peculiar meaning in intuitive percep- 
tion of the fate of a being who was doomed from birth to 
endure a woman’s sufferings, relieved by a woman’s affec- 
tions. Her voi,ce, as has been already intimated, was soft 
as the sighing of the night air, a characteristic of the fe- 
males of her race, but which was so conspicuous in herself 
as to have procured for her the name of Wah-ta!-Wah ; 
which rendered into English means Hist-oh !-Hist. 

In a word, this was the betrothed of Chingachgook, 
who, having succeeded in lulling their suspicions, was 
permitted to wander around the encampment of her cap- 
tors. This indulgence was in accordance with the general 
policy of the red man, who well' knew, moreover, that her 
trail could have been followed in the event of flight. 


i68 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


It will also be remembered that the Iroquois, of Hurons, 
as it would be better to call them, were entirely ignorant 
of the proximity of her lover ; a fact, indeed, that she did 
not know herself. 

It is not easy to say which manifested the most self-pos- 
session at this unexpected meeting, the pale-face or the 
red girl. But though a little surprised, Wah-ta!-Wah was 
the most willing to speak, and far the readier in foreseeing 
consequences, as well as in devising means to avert them. 
Her father, during her childhood, had been much employed 
as a warrior by the authorities of the colony ; and dwell- 
ing for several years near the forts, she had caught a knowl- 
edge of the Englisli tongue, which she spoke in the usual 
abbreviated manner of an Indian, but fluently, and without 
any of the ordinary reluctance of her people. 

“Where go?” repeated Wah-ta !-Wah, returning the 
smile of Hettv in her own gentle, winning manner ; “ wicked 
warrior that a- way — good warrior far off.” 

“What’s your name ?” asked Hetty, with the simplicity 
of a child. 

“ Wah-ta !-Wah. I no Mingo — good Delaware— Yen- 
geese friend. Mingo cruel, and love scalp for blood — 
Delaware love him for honor. Come here, tvhere no eyes.” 

Wah-ta !-Wah now led her companion toward the lake, 
descending the bank so as to place its overhanging trees 
and bushes between them and any probable observers ; nor 
did she stop until they were both seated, side by side, on 
a fallen log, one end of which actually lay buried in the 
water. 

“IV/iy you come for?” the young Indian eagerly inquired ; 
where you come from ? ” 

Hetty told her tale in her own simple and truth-loving 
manner. She explained the situation of her father and 
stated her desire to serve him, and, if possible, to procure 
his release. 

“ Why your father come to Mingo camp in night ? ” 
asked the Indian girl, with a directness which, if not bor- 
rowed from the other, partook largely of its sincerity. 
“ He know it war-time, and he no boy — he no want beard 
— no want to be told Iroquois carry tomahawk, and knife, 
and rifle. Why he come night-time, seize 7ne by hair, and 
try to scalp Delaware girl ? ” 


THE DEERSLAYER. 169 

“ You ! ” said Hetty, almost sickening with horror ; “did 
he seize — did he try to scalp yoti ? ” 

“Why no? Delaware scalp sell for much as Mingo 
scalp ;* governor no tell difference. Wicked t’ing for pale- 
face to scalp. No his gifts, as the good Deerslayer alway 
tell me.” 

“And do you know the Deerslayer ? ” said Hetty, color- 
ing with delight and surprise, forgetting her regrets at the 
moment in the influence of this new feeling. “ I know 
him, too. He is now in the ark with Judith and a Dela- 
ware who is called the Big Serpent. A bold and hand- 
some warrior is this Serpent, too ! ” 

Spite of the rich deep color that nature had bestowed 
on the Indian beauty, tlte tell-tale blood deepened on her 
cheeks, until the blush gave new animation and intelli- 
gence to her jet-black eyes. Raising a finger in an atti- 
tude of warning she dropped her voice, already so soft 
and sweet, nearly to a whisper, as she continued the dis- 
course. 

“ Chingachgook ! ” returned the Delaware girl, sighing 
out the harsh name in sounds so softly guttural as to 
cause it to reach the ear in melody. “ His father, Uncas 
— great chief of the Mahicanni — next to old Tamenund ! 
More as warrior, not so much gray hair, and less at coun- 
cil-fire. You know Serpent ? ” 

“ He joined us last evening, and was in the ark with 
me for two or three hours before I left it. I’m afraid. 

Hist ” Hetty could not pronounce the Indian name 

of her new friend, but, having heard Deerslayer give her 
this familiar appellation, she used it without any of the 
ceremony of civilized life ; “ I’m afraid. Hist, he has come 
after scalps as well as my poor father and Hurry Harry ! ” 
“Why he shouldn’t, ha? Chingachgook red warrior, 
very red — scalp make his honor — be sure he take him.” 

“ Then,” said Hetty, earnestly, “he will be as wicked as 
any other. God will not pardon in a red man what he 
will not pardon in a white man.” 

“ No true,” returned the Delaware girl, with a warmth 
that nearly amounted to passion ; “ no true, I tell you ! 
The Manitou smile and please when he see young warrior 
come back from the war-path, with two, ten, hundred 
scalp on a pole ! Chingachgook father take scalp ; and 


170 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


Chingachgook take as many scalp as he can carry, him- 
self ! ” 

“Then, Hist, his sleep of nights must be terrible to 
think of ! No one can be cruel and hope to be forgiven.” 

“No cruel — plenty forgiven,” returned Wah-ta !-Wah, 
stamping her little foot on the stony strand, and shaking 
her head in a way to show how completely feminine feel- 
ing, in one of its aspects, had got the better of feminine 
feeling in another. “ I tell you. Serpent brave, he go 
home this time with four, yes, two scalp.” 

“And is that his errand here? Did he really come all 
this distance across mountains and valleys, rivers and 
lakes, to torment his fellow-creatures, and do so wicked a 
thing ? ” 

This question at once appeased the growing ire of the 
half-offended Indian beauty. It completely got the better 
of the prejudices of education, and turned all her thoughts 
to a/^entler and more feminine channel. At first she 
looked around her suspiciously, as if distrusting eaves- 
droppers; then she gazed wistfully into the face of her 
attentive companion : after which this exhibition of girl- 
ish coquetry and womanly feeling terminated by her 
covering her face with both her hands, and laughing in a 
strain that might well be termed the melody of the woods. 
Dread of discovery, however, soon put a stop to this naive 
exhibition of feeling, and removing her hands, this crea- 
ture of impulses gazed again wistfully into the face of her 
companion, as if inquiring how far she might trust a 
stranger with her secret. Altliough Hetty had' no claim 
to her sister’s extraordinary beaut)', many thought her 
countenance the most winning of the two. It expressed 
all the undisguised sincerity of her character, and it was 
totally free from any of the unpleasant physical accom- 
paniments that so frequently attend mental imbecility. 
It is true that one accustomed to closer observation than 
common might have detected the proofs of her feebleness 
of intellect in the language of her sometimes vacant eyes ; 
but they were signs that attracted sympathy by their total 
want of guile rather than by any other feeling. The ef- 
fect on Hist, to use the English and more familiar trans- 
lation of the name, was favorable ; and, yielding to an im- 
pulse of tenderness, she threw her arms around Hetty and 


THE DEER SLA YER. 


171 


embraced her, with an outpouring emotion so natural that 
it was only equalled by its warmth. 

“ Yau good,” whispered the young In’dian ; ‘‘you good, 
I know ; it’s so long since Wah-ta !-Wah have a friend — 
a sister — anybody to speak her heart to ! you Hist friend ; 
don’t I say trut’ ? ” 

“ I never had a friend,” answered Hetty, returning tlie 
warm embrace with unfeigned earnestness ; “ I’ve a sister, 
but no friend. Judith loves me, and I love Judith ; but 
tliat’s natural, and as we are taught in the Bible ; but I 
should \.Q XycXvc friend ! I’ll be your friend with all 
my heart, for I like your voice, and your smile, and 
your way of thinking in everything except about the 
scalps ” 

“No t’ink more of him — no say more of scalp,” inter- 
rupted Hist, soothingly ; “you pale-face, I red-skin ; we 
bring up different fashion. Deerslayer and Chingachgook 
great friend, and no tlie same color ; Hist and — what your 
name, pretty pale-pale ? ” 

“ I am called Hetty, though when they spell the name 
in the Bible they always spell it Esther.” 

“What that make? — no good, no harm. No need to 
spell name at all. Moravian try to make Wah-ta !-Wah 
spell, but no won’t let him. No good for Delaware girl 
to know too much — know more than warrior sometime ; 
that great shame. My name Wah-ta !-Wah — that say Hist 
in your tongue ; you call him Hist — I call him Hetty.” 

These preliminaries settled to their mutual satisfaction, 
tho two girls began to discourse of several hopes and pro- 
jects. Hetty made her new friend more fully acquainted 
with her intentions in behalf of her father ; and, to one in 
the least addicted to prying into the affairs of otliers. Hist 
would-have betrayed her own feelings and expectations in 
connection with the young warrior of her own tribe. 
Enough was revealed on both sides, however, to let each 
})arty get a tolerable insiglit into the views of the other, 
though enough still remained in mental reservation to 
give rise to the following questions and answers, with 
which the interview in effect closed. As the quickest- 
witted. Hist was the first with her interrogatories. Fold- 
ing an arm about the waist of Hetty, she bent her head so 
as to look up playfully into the face of the other ; and, 


'172 


THE DEER SLAYER. 


laughing, as if her meaning were to be extracted from her 
looks, she spoke more plainly. 

“ Hetty got broder as well as fader ? ” she said ; “ why 
no talk of broder as well as fader ?” 

“ I have no brother, Hist. I had one once, they say, . 
but he is dead many a year, and lies buried in the lake by 
the side of mother.” 

“ No got broder — got a young warrior ; love him almost 
as much as fader, eh ? Very handsome and brave-looking ; 
fit to be chief if he good as he see7n to be.” 

‘‘ It’s wicked to love any man as well as I love my father, 
and so I strive not to do it. Hist,” returned the conscien- 
tious Hetty, who knew not how to conceal an emotion by 
an approach .to an untruth as venial as an evasion, though 
powerfully tempted by female shame to err; “though I 
sometimes think that wickedness will get the better of me 
if Hurry comes so often to the lake. I must tell you the 
truth, dear Hist, because you ask me ; but I should fall 
down and die in the woods if he knew it ! ” 

“Why he no ask you himself? Brave-looking — why 
not bold-speaking ? Young warrior ought to ask young , 
girl ; no make young girl speak first. Mingo girls too 
shame for that." 

This was said indignantly, and with the generous warmth 
a young female of spirit would be apt to feel at what she 
deemed an invasion of h^r sex’s most valued privilege. 
It had little influence on the simple-minded, but also just- 
minded Hetty, who, though inherently feminine in all her 
impulses, was much more alive to the workings of her 
own heart than to any of the usages with which conven- 
tion has protected the sensitiveness of her sex. < 

“Ask m.e whatl" the startled girl demanded, with a 
suddenness that proved how completely her fears had 
l)een aroused. “ Ask me if I like him as well as I. do my 
own father ! Oh ! I hope he will never put such a ques- 
tion to me., for I should have to answer, and that would 
kill me ! ” 

“ No — no — no kill, quite almost,” returned the other, 
laughing in spite of herself. “ Make blush come — make 
shame come, too ; but he no stay great while ; then feel 
happier than ever. .Young warrior must tell young girl 
he want to make wife, else never can live in his wigwam.” 


THE DEERSLAYEK. 


173 


“ Hurry don’t want to marry me — nobody will ever 
want to marry me, Hist.” 

‘‘ How you can know ? P’r’aps everybody want to 
marry you, and .by-and-by tongue say what heart feel. 
Why nobody want to marry you ? ” 

“ I am not full-witted, they say. Father often tells me 
this ; and so does Judith sometimes, when she is vexed ; 
but I shouldn’t so much mind them as I did mother. SJie 
said so once ; and then she cried as if her heart would 
break; and so I know I’m not full-witted.” 

Hist gazed at the gentle, simple girl for quite a minute 
without speaking ; when the truth appeared to flash all 
at once on the mind of the young Indian maid. Pity, rev- 
erence, and tenderness, seemed struggling together in her 
breast ; then rising suddenly, she indicated a wish to her 
companion that she would accompany her to the camp, 
which was situated at no great distance. This unexpected 
change, from the precaution that Hist had previously 
manifested a desire to use in order to prevent being seen, 
to an open exposure of the person of her friend, arose 
from the perfect conviction that no Indian would harm a 
being whom the Great Spirit had disarmed by depriving 
it of its strongest defence, reason. In this respect, nearly 
all unsophisticated nations resemble each other ; appeaf- 
ing to offer spontaneously, by a feeling creditable to hu- 
man nature, that protection by their own forbearance 
which has been withheld by the inscrutable wisdom of 
Providence. Wah-ta !-Wah, indeed, knew that in many 
tribes the mentally imbecile and the mad were held in a 
species of religious reverence ; receiving from the untu- 
tored inhabitants of the forest, respect and honors instead 
of the contumely and neglect that it is their fortune to 
meet with among the more pretending and sophisticated. 

Hetty accompanied her new friend without apprehen- 
sion or reluctance. It was her wish to reach the camp , 
and, sustained by her motives, she felt no more concern 
for the consequences than did her companion herself, 
now the latter was apprised of the character of the pro- 
tection that the pale-face maiden carried with her. Still, 
as they proceeded slowly along a shore that was tangled 
with overhanging bushes, Hetty continued the discourse, 
assuming the office of interrogating, which the other 


174 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


had instantly dropped as soon as she ascertained the char- 
acter of the mind to which her questions had been ad- 
dressed. 

“But you are not half-witted,” said Hetty, “ and there’s 
no reason why the Serpent should not marry you.” 

“ Hist prisoner, and Mingo got big ear. No speak of 
Chingachgook when they by. Promise Hist that, good 
Hetty.” 

“ I know — I know,” returned Hetty, half whispering, 
in her eagerness to let the other see she 'understood the 
necessity of caution. “ I know — Deerslayer and the Ser- 
pent mean to get you away from the Iroquois, and you 
wish me not to tell the secret” 

“How you know ? ” said Hist, hastily, vexed at the 
moment that the other was not even more feeble-minded 
than was actually the case. “ How you know ? Better 
not talk of any but fader and Hurry ; Mingo understand 
//af ; he no understand Promise you no talk about 
what you no understand.” 

“ But I t/o understand this. Hist ; and so I mus^ talk 
about it. Deerslayer as good as told father all about it, 
in my presence ; and as nobody told me not to listen, I 
overheard it all, as I did Hurry and father’s discourse 
about the scalps.” 

“Very bad for pale-face to talk about scalps, and very 
bad for young woman to hear! Now, you love Hist, I 
know, Hetty, and so, among Injuns, when love hardest 
never talk most.” 

“ That’s not the way among white people, who talk most 
about them they love best. 1 suppose it’s because I’m only 
half-witted that I don’t see the reason why it should be so 
different among red people.” 

“That what Deerslayer call gift. One gift to talk; 
t’udder gift to hold tongue. Hold tongue your gift, among 
the Mingoes. If Serpent want to see Hist, so Hetty want 
to see Hurry. Good girl never tell secret of friend.” 

Hetty understood this appeal ; and she promised the 
Delaware girl not to make any allusion to the presence of 
Chingachgook, or to the motive of his visit to the lake. 

“ Maybe he get off Hurry and fader, as well as Hist, if 
let him have his way,” whispered Wah-ta !-VVah to her 
companion, in a confiding, flattering way, just as they got 


I 


THE DEERSLAVER. * 175 

near enough to the encampment to hear the voices of 
several of their own sex, who were apparently occupied in 
the usual toils of women of their class. “T’ink of dat, 
Hetty, and put two, twenty finger -on mouth. No get 
friends free without Serpent do it.” 

A better expedient could not have been adopted to se- 
cure the silence and discretion of Hetty than that which 
was now presented to her mind. ■ As the liberation of her 
father and the young frontier-man was the great object of 
lier adventure, she felt the connection between it and the 
service of the Delaware ; and, with an innocent laugh, she 
nodded her head, and in the same suppressed manner pro- 
mised a due attention to the wishes of her friend. Thus 
assured, Hist tarried no longer, but immediately and 
openly led the way into the encampment of her captors. 


CHAPTER XI. 

‘ ‘ The great King of kings 
Hath in the table of his law commanded. 

That thou shalt do no murder. 

Take heed, for he holds vengeance in his hand, 

To hurl upon their heads that break his law.” — Shakespeare. 


That the party to which Hist compulsorily belonged was 
not one that was regularly on the war-path was evident by 
the presence of females. It was a small fragment of a tribe 
that had been hunting and hshing within the English lim- 
its, where itw^as found by the commencement of hostilities, 
and, after passing the wdnter and spring by living on what 
was strictly the property of its enemies, it chose to strike 
a hostile blow before it finally retired. There w’^as also 
deep Indian sagacity in the manoeuvres which had led them 
so far into the territory of their foes. When the runner ar- 
rived who announced the breaking out of hostilities be- 
tween the English and French — a struggle that w^as certain 
to carry with it all the tribes that dwelt within the influ- 
ence of the respective belligerents — this particular party of 
the Iroquois w^ere posted on the shores of the Oneida, a 
lake that lies some fifty miles nearer to their own frontier 
than that w^hich is the scene of our tale. To have fled in 


176 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


a direct line for the Canadas would have exposed them to 
the dangers of a direct pursuit ; and the chiefs had deter- 
mined to adopt the expedient of penetrating deeper into a 
region that had now become dangerous, in the hope of 
being able to retire in the rear of their pursuers, instead 
of having them on their trail. The presence of the women 
had induced the attempt Rt this r 7/s e ; the strength of these 
feebler members of the party being unequal to the effort 
of escaping from the pursuit of warriors. When the reader 
remembers the vast extent of the American wilderness at 
that early day, he will perceive that it was possible for 
even a tribe to remain months undiscovered in particular 
portions of it ; nor was the danger of encountering a foe, 
the usual precautions being observed, as great in the woods 
as it is on the high-seas, in a time of active warfare. 

The encampment being temporary, it offered to the eye 
no more than the rude protection of a bivouac, relieved in 
some slight degree by the ingenious expedients which sug- 
gested themselves to the readiness of those who passed their 
lives amid similar scenes. One fire that had been kindled 
against the roots of a living oak sufficed for the whole 
party ; the weather being too mild to require it for any 
purpose but cooking. Scattered around this centre of at- 
traction were some fifteen or twenty low huts— perhaps 
kennels would be a better word — into which their different 
owners crept at night, and which were also intended to meet 
the exigencies of a storfn. These little huts were made of 
the branches of trees, put together with some ingenuity, 
and they were uniformly topped with bark that had been 
stripped from fallen trees ; of which every virgin forest 
possesses hundreds, in all stages of decay. Of furniture, 
they had next to none. Cooking-utensils of the simplest 
sort were lying near the fire ; a few articles of clothing 
were to be seen in or around the huts ; rifles, horns, and 
pouches leaned against the trees, or were suspended from 
the lower branches ; and the carcasses of two or three 
deer were stretched to view on the same natural shambles. 

As the encampment was in the midst of a dense wood, 
the eye could not take in its tout ense/nble at a glance ; but 
hut after hut started out of the gloomy picture, as one 
gazed about him in quest of objects. There was no centre, 
unless the fire might be so considered — no open area whero 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


177 


the possessors of this rude village might congregate ; but 
all was dark, covert, and cunning, like its owners. A few 
children strayed from hut to hut, giving the spot a little the 
air of domestic life ; and the suppressed laugh and low 
voices of the women occasionally broke in upon the deep 
stillness of the sombre forest. As for the men, they either 
ate, slept, or examined their arms. They conversed but 
little, and then usually apart, or in groups withdrawn from 
the females ; while an air of untiring, innate watchfulness, 
and apprehension of danger seemed to be blended even 
with their slumbers. 

As the two girls neared the encampment, Hetty uttered 
a slight exclamation on catching a view of the person of 
her father. He was seated on the ground, with his back 
to a tree, and Hurry stood near him, indolently whit- 
tling a twig. Apparently, they were as much at liberty as 
any other in or about the camp, and one unaccustomed to 
Indian usages would have mistaken them for visitors, in- 
stead of supposing them to be captives. Wah-ta !-Wah led 
her new friend quite near them, and then modestly with- 
drew, that her own presence might be no restraint on her 
feelings. But Hetty was not sufficiently familiar with 
caresses or outward demonstrations of fondness, to indulge 
in any outbreaking of feeling. She merely approached 
and stood at her father’s side without speaking, resembling 
a silent statue of filial affection. The old man expressed 
neither alarm nor surprise at her sudden appearance. In 
these particulars he had caught the stoicism of the 
Indians ; well knowing that there w^s no more certain 
mode of securing their respect than by imitating their self- 
command. Nor did tlie savages tliemselves betray the 
least sign of surprise at this sudden appearance of a stran- 
ger among them. In a word, this arrival produced much 
less visible sensation, though occurring under circumstances 
so peculiar, than would be seen in a village of higher pre- 
tensions to civilizationj did any ‘ordinary traveller drive up 
to the door of its principal inn. Still a few warriors col- 
lected, and it was evident, by the manner in which they 
glanced at Hetty as they conversed together, that she was 
the subject of their discourse, and probable that the rea- 
sons of her unlooked-for appearance were matters of dis- 
cussion. This phlegm of manner is characteristic of the 


12 


178 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


North American Indian — some say of his white successor 
also — but, in this case, much should be attributed to the 
peculiar situation in which the party was placed. The 
force in the ark, the presence of Chingachgook excepted, 
was well known, no tribe or body of troops was believed 
to be near, and vigilant eyes were posted round the entire 
lake, watching, day and night, the slightest movement of 
tli^^se whom it'^vould not be exaggerated now to term the 
besieged. 

Hutter was inwardly much moved by the conduct of 
Hetty, though he affected so much indifference of manner. 
He recollected her gentle appeal to him before he left the 
ark, and misfortune rendered that of weight which might 
have been forgotten amid the triumph of success. Then 
he knew the simple, single-hearted fidelity of his child, 
and understood why she had come, and the total disregard 
of self that reigned in all her acts. 

“This is not w^ell, Hetty,” he said, deprecating the con- 
sequences to the girl herself more than any other evil. 
“ These are fierce Iroquois, and are as little apt to forget 
an injury as a faA^’or.” 

“Tell me, father,” returned the girl, looking furtively 
about her, as if fearful of being overheard, “ did God let 
you do the cruel errand on which you came ? I want 
much to know this, that I may speak to the Indians plainly 
if he did not.” 

“You should not have come hither, Hetty ; these brutes 
will not understand your nature or your intentions ! ” 

“ How was it, fatiier, neither you nor Hurry seems to 
have anything that looks like scalps ? ” 

“ If that will set your mind at peace, child, I can answer 
you no. I had caught the young creatur’ who came here 
with you, but her screeches soon br Light down upon me 
a troop of the wild cats that was too much for any single 
Christian to withstand. If that will do you any good, we 
are as innocent of having taken a scalp this time as I make 
no doubt we shall also be innocent of receiving the bounty.” 

“Thank you for that, father ! Now I can speak boldly 
to the Iroquois, and with an easy conscience. I hope 
Hurry, too, has not been able to harm any of the Indians? ” 

“Why, as to that matter, Hetty,” returned the indi- 
vidual in question, “you’ve put it pretty much in the 


THE DEEKSLA YER. 


179 


native character of the religious truth. Hurry has not 
been able^ and that is the long and short of it. I’ve seen 
many squalls, old fellow, both on land and on the water, but 
never did I feel one as lively and as snappish as that which 
come down upon us night afore last, in the shape of an 
Indian hurrah-boys ! Why, Hetty, you’re no great matter 
at a reason or an idee tliat lies a little de^^per than com- 
mon, but you’re human and have some human notions ; 
now. I’ll just ask you to look at these circumstances. Here 
was old Tom, your father, and myself, bent on a legal opera- 
tion, as is to be seen in the words of the law and the 
proclamation, thinking no harm, when we were set upon 
by critturs that were more like a pack of hungry wolves 
than mortal savages even, and there they had us tethered 
like two sheep in less time than it has taken me to tell you 
the story.” 

“You are free Aow, Hurry,” returned Hetty, glancing 
timidly at the fine unfettered limbs of the young giant. 
“You have no cords .or withes to pain your arms or legs 
now.” 

“Not I, Hetty. Natur’ is natur’, and freedom is natur’, 
too. My limbs have a free look, but that’s pretty much 
the amount of it, sin’ I can’t use them in the way I should 
like. Even tliese trees have eyes ; ay, and tongues, too ; 
for, was the old man here or I to start one single rod be- 
yond our jail limits, sarvice would be put on the bail afore 
we could ‘gird up our loins’ for a race, and, like as not, 
four or five rifle-bullets would be travelling arter us, car- 
rying so many invitations to curb our impatience. There 
isn’t a jail in the colony as tight as this we are now in ; 
for I’ve tried the vartue of two or three on ’em, and I 
know the materials, they are made of as well as the men that 
made ’em ; takin’ down being the next vStep in schoolin’ to 
puttin’ up, in all such fabrications.” 

Lest the reader should get an exaggerated opinion of 
Hurry’s demerits from this boastful and indiscreet revela- 
tion, it may be well to say that his offences were confined to 
assaults and batteries, for several of which he had been 
imprisoned, when, as he had just said, he often escaped by 
demonstrating the flimsiness of the constructions in which 
he was confined, by opening for himself doors in spots where 
the architects had neglected to place them. But Hetty 


i8o 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


had no knowledge of jails, and little of the nature of crime, 
beyond what her unadulterated and almost instinctive per- 
ceptions of right and wrong taught her, and this sally of 
the rude being who had spoken was lost upon her. • She 
understood his general meaning, however, and answered in 
reference to that alone. 

“ It’s so best. Hurry,” she said. “ It is best father and 
you should be quiet and peaceable till I have spoken to 
the Iroquois, when all will be well and happy. I don’t wish 
either of you to follow, but leave me to myself. As soon 
as all is settled, and you are at liberty to go back to the 
castle, I will come and let you know it.” 

Hetty spoke with so much simple earnestness, seemed 
so confident of success, and wore so high an air of moral 
feeling and truth, that both the listeners felt more disposed 
to attach an importance to her mediation than might 
otherwise have happened. When she»manifested an in- 
tention to quit them, therefore, they offered no obstacle, 
though they saw she was about to join the group of chiefs 
who were consulting apart, seemingly on the manner and 
motive of her own sudden appearance. 

When Hist — for so we love best to call her — quitted her, 
companion, she strayed near one or two of the elder war- 
riors Avho had shown her most kindness in her captivity — 
the principal man of whom had even offered to adopt her 
as his child if she would consent to become a Huron. In 
taking this direction, the shrewd girl did so to invite in- 
quiry. She was too well trained in the habits of her people, 
to obtrude the opinions of one of her sex and years on men 
and warriors ; but nature had furnished a tact and ingenu- 
ity that enabled her to attract the attention she desired, 
without wounding the pride of those whom it was her duty 
to defer to aiid respect. Even her affected indifference 
stimulated r..i -'sity ; and Hetty had hardly reached the 
side of her father before the Delaware girl was brought 
within the circle of the warriors by a secret but significant 
gesture. Here she was questioned as to the presence of 
her companion, and the motives that had brought her to 
the camp. This was all that Hist desired. She explained 
the manner in which she had detected tlie weakness of 
Hetty’s reason, rather exaggerating than lessening the de- 
ficiency in her intellect ; and then she related, in general 


TJIE DEERS LA YER. 


1 8 'i 

terms, the object of the girl in venturing among hct* 
enemies. The effect was all that the speaker expected ; 
her account investing the person and character of their vis- 
itor with a sacredness and respect she well knew would 
prove her protection. As soon as her own purpose was 
attained, Hist withdrew to a distance, where, with female 
consideration and a sisterly tenderness, she set about the 
preparation of a meal, to be offered to her new friend as 
soon as the latter might be at liberty to partake of it. 
While thus occupied, however, the ready girl in no degree 
relaxed in her watchfulness, noting every change of coun- 
tenance among the chiefs, every movement of Hetty, and 
the smaller occurrences that could be likely to affect her 
own interests or that of her new friend. 

As Hetty approached the chiefs, they opened their little 
circle with an ease and deference of manner that would 
have done credit to men of more courtly origin. A fallen 
tree lay near, and the oldest of the warriors made a quiet 
sign for the girl to be seated on it, taking his place at her 
side with the gentleness of a father. The others arranged 
themselves around the two with grave dignity ; and then 
the girl, who had sufficient observation to perceive that 
such a course was expected of her, began to reveal the ob- 
ject of her visit. The moment she opened her mouth to 
speak, however, the old chief gave a gentle sign for her to 
forbear, >said a .few words to one of his juniors, and then 
waited in silent patience until the latter had summoned 
Hist to the party. This interruption proceeded from the 
chief’s having discovered that-there existed a necessity for 
an interpreter, few of the Hurons present understanding 
the English language, and they but imperfectly. 

Wah-ta !-Wah,was not sorry to be called upon to be pres- 
ent at the interview, and least of all in the character in 
which she was now wanted. She was aware of the hazards 
she ran in attempting to deceive one or two of the party ; 
but was none the less resolved to use every means that of- 
fered, and to practise every artifice that an Indian educa- 
tion could supply, to conceal the facts of the vicinity of 
her betrothed, and of the errand on which he had come. 
One unpractised in the expedients and opinions of savage 
life, would not have suspected the readiness of invention, 
the wariness of action, the high resolution, the noble im- 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


1 82 

pulses, the deep self-devotion, and the feminine disregard 
of self, where the affections were concerned, that lay con- 
cealed beneath the demure looks, the mild eyes, and the 
sunny smiles of this young Indian beauty. As she ap- 
proached them, the grim old warriors regarded her with 
pleasure, for they had a secret pride in the hope of engraft- 
ing so rare a scion on the stock of their own nation ; adop- 
tion being as regularly practised and as distinctly recog- 
nized among the tribes of America as it ever had been 
among those nations that submit to the sway of the civil 
law. 

As soon as Hist was seated by the side of Hetty, the old 
chief desired her to ask “the fair, young pale-face” what 
had brought her among the Iroquois, and what they could 
do to serve her. 

“Tell tliem. Hist, who I am — Thomas Hutter’s youngest 
daughter ; Thomas Hutter, the oldest of their two pris- 
oners ; he who owns the castle and the ark, and who has 
the best right to be thought the- owner of these hills, and 
that lake, since he has dwelt so long, and trapped so long, 
and fished so long, among them. They’ll know whom .you 
mean by Thomas Hutter, if you tell them that. And then 
tell them that I’ve come here to convince them that they 
ought not to harm father and Hurry, but let them go in 
peace, and to treat them as brothers, rather than as ene- 
mies. Now tell them all this plainly. Hist, and fear noth- 
ing for yourself or me ; God will protect us.” 

Wah-ta !-\Vah did as the other desired ; taking care to 
render the words of her friend as literally as possible into 
the Iroquois tongue, a language she used with a readiness 
almost equal to that with which she spoke her own. The 
chiefs heard this opening explanation with grave decorum, 
the two who had a little knowledge of English intimating 
their satisfaction with the interpreter by furtive but sig- 
nificant glances of the eyes. 

“And now. Hist,” continued Hetty, as soon as iEw^as in- 
timated to her that she might proceed ; “ and now. Hist, 

I wish you to tell these red men, word for word, what I 
am about to say. Tell them, first, that father and Hurry 
catne here with an intention to take as many scalps as they 
could ; for the wicked governor and the province have of- 
fered money for scfilps ; whether of warriors or women, 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


183 

men or children ; and the love of gold was too strong for 
their hearts to withstand it. Tell them this, dear Hist, just 
as you have heard it from me, word for word.” 

Wah-ta !-\Vah hesitated about rendering this speech as 
literally as had been desired ; but, detecting the intelli- 
gence of those who understood English, and apprehending 
even a greater knowledge than they actually possessed, 
she found herself compelled to comply. Contrary to what 
a civilized man would have expected, the admission of the 
motives and of the errands of their prisoners produced no 
visible effect on either the countenances or the feelings of 
the listeners. They probably considered the act merito- 
rious, and that which neither of them would have hesita- 
ted to perform in his own person, he would not be apt to 
censure in another. 

“And now, Hist,” resumed Hetty, as soon as she per- 
ceived that her first speeches were understood by the 
chiefs, “you can tell them more. They know that father 
and Hurry did not succeed ; and, therefore, they can bear 
them no grudge for any harm that has been done. If they 
had slain their children and wives, it would not alter the 
matter ; and I’m not certain that what I am about to tell 
them would not have more weight had there been mischief 
done. But ask them first. Hist, if they know there is a 
God who reigns over the whole earth, and is ruler and 
chief of all who live, let them be red or white, or what 
color they may? ” 

Wah-ta !-Wah looked a little surprised at this question ; 
for the idea of the Great Spirit is seldom long absent from 
the mind of an Indian girl. She put the question as liter- 
ally as possible, however, and received a grave answer in 
the affirmative. 

“This is right,” continued Hetty, “and my duty will 
now be light. This Great Spirit, as you call our God, has 
caused a book to be written, that we call a Bible ; and in 
this book have been set down all his commandments, and 
his holy will and pleasure, and the rules by which all men 
are to live, and directions how to govern the thoughts 
even, and the wishes, and the will. Here, this is one of 
these h8ly books, and you must tell the chiefs what I am 
about to read to them from its sacred pages.” 

As Hetty concluded, she reverently unrolled a small 


184 


THE DEER SLA YER. 


English Bible from its envelope of coarse calico, treating 
the volume with the sort of external respect that a Roman- 
ist would be apt to show to a religious relic. As she slowly 
proceeded in her task, the grim warriors watched each 
movement with riveted eyes ; and when they saw the 
little volume appear, a slight expression of surprise es- 
caped one or two of them. But Hetty held it out toward 
them in triumph, as if she expected the sight would pro- 
duce a visible miracle ; and’then, without betraying either 
surprise or mortification at the stoicism of the Indians, she 
turned eagerly to her new friend in order to renew the 
discourse. 

“This is the sacred volume. Hist,” she said, “and these 
words, and lines, and verses, and chapters, all came from 
God ! ” 

“Why Great Spirit no send book to Injin too?” de- 
manded Hist, with the directness of a mind that was totally 
unsophisticated. 

“ \Vhy ?” answered Hetty, a little bewildered by a ques- 
tion so unexpected. “Why ? — Ah ! you know the Indians 
don’t know how to read.” 

If Hist was not satisfied with this explanation, she did 
not deem the point of sufficient importance to be pressed. 
Simply bending her body, in gentle admission of the truth 
of what she heard, she sat patiently awaiting the further 
arguments of the pale-face enthusiast. 

“ You can tell these chiefs that throughout this book men 
are ordered to forgive their enemies ; to treat them as they 
would brethren ; and never to injure their fellow-creatures, 
more especially on account of revenge or any evil passion. 
Do you think you can tell them this so they will under- 
stand it, Hist ? ” 

“ Tell him well enough ; but he no very easy to under- 
stand.” 

Hist then conveyed the ideas of Hetty in the best man- 
ner she could to the attentive Indians, who heard her 
words with some such surprise as an American of our 
own times would be apt to betray at a suggestion that the 
great modern but vacillating ruler of things human^ public 
opinion, might be wrong. One or two of their number, 
however, having met with missionaries, said a few words 
in explanation, and then the group gave all its attention 


THE DE EES LA YER. 


1S5 

to the communications that were to follow. Before Hetty 
resumed, she inquired earnestly of Hist if the chiefs had 
understood her, and, receiving an evasive answer, was fain 
to be satisfied. 

“ I will now read to the warriors some of the verses that 
it is good for them to know,” continued the girl, whose man- 
ner grew more solemn and earnest as she proceeded, “ and 
they will remember that they are the words of the Great 
Spirit. First, then, ye are commanded to ‘ Love thy neigh- 
bor as thyself' Tell them that^ dear Hist.” 

“Neighbor for Injin no mean pale-face,” answered the 
Delaware girl, with more decision than she had hitherto 
thought it necessary to use. “Neighbor mean Iroquois 
for Iroquois, Mohican for Mohican, pale-face for pale-face. 
No need tell chief anything else.” 

“ You forget. Hist, these are the words of the Great 
Spirit, and the chiefs must obey them as well as others. 
Here is another commandment : ‘ Whosoever shall smite thee 
on the right cheeky turn to him the other also.'"' 

“What that mean ?” demanded Hist, with the quickness 
of lightning. 

Hetty explained that it was an order not to resent in- 
juries, but rather to submit to receive fresh wrongs from 
the olfender. 

“ And hear this too. Hist,” she added, “ ^ Love your ene- 
mies., bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, 
and pray for the 771 which despit^ully use you a7id persecute you.' " 

By this time Hetty had become excited ; her eye 
gleamed with the earnestness of her feelings, her cheeks 
flushed, and her voice, usually so low and modulated, be- 
came stronger and more impressive. With the Bible she 
had been early made familiar by her mother ; and slle now 
turned from passage to passage with surprising rapidity, 
taking care to call such verses as taught the sublime les- 
sons of Christian charity and Christian forgiveness. To 
translate half she said in her pious earnestness, Wah-ta!- 
Wah would have found impracticable, had she made the 
effort ; but wonder held her tongue-tied, equally with the 
chiefs ; and the young, simple-minded enthusiast had fairly 
become exhausted -with her own efforts, before the other 
opened her mouth again to utter a syllable. Then, indeed, 
the Delaware girl gave a brief translation of the substance 


i86 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


of what had been both read and said, confining herself to 
one or two of the more striking of the verses, those that 
had struck her own imagination as the most paradoxical, 
and which certainly would have been the most applicable 
to the case, could the uninstructed minds of the listeners 
embrace the great moral truths they conveyed. 

It will be scarcely necessary to tell the reader the effect 
that such novel duties would be likely to produce among 
a group of Indian warriors, with whom it was a species of 
religious principle never to forget a benefit or to forgive 
an injury. Fortunately, the previous explanations of Hist 
had prepared the minds of the Hurons for something ex- 
travagant ; and most of that which to them seemed incon- 
sistent and paradoxical was accounted for by the fact that 
the speaker possessed a mind that was constituted differ- 
ently from those of most of the human race. Still there 
were one or two old men who had heard similar doctrines 
from the missionaries, and they felt a desire to occupy an 
idle moment by pursuing a subject they found so curious. 

“ This is the Good Book of the pale-faces,” observed one 
of these chiefs, taking the volume from the unresisting 
hand of Hetty, who gazed anxiously at his face while he 
turned the leaves, as if she expected to witness some visible 
results from the circumstance. “This is the law by which 
my white brethren profess to live ? ” 

Hist, to whom this question was addressed, if it might 
be considered as addressed to any one in particular, an- 
swered simply in tlie affirmative ; adding that both the 
French of the Canadas and the Yengeese of the British 
provinces equally admitted its authority, and affected to 
revere its principles. 

“ Tell my young sister,” said the Huron, looking directly 
at Hist, “ that I will open my mouth and say a few words.” 

“The Iroquois chief go to speak — my pale-face friend 
listen,” said Hist. 

“I rejoice to hear it!” exclaimed Hetty. “God has 
touched his heart, and he will now let father and Hurry 
go ! ” 

“This is the. pale-face law,” resumed the chief. “It 
tells him to be good to them that hurt him ; when ..his 
brother asks him for his rifle, to give him the powder- 
horn too. Such is the pale-face law ?” 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


187 


“Not so — not so,” answered Hetty, earnestly, when 
these words had been interpreted. “ There is not a word 
about rifles in the whole book ; and powder and bullets 
give offence to the Great Spirit.” 

“ Why, then, does the pale-face use them ? If he is or- 
dered to give double to him that asks only for one thing, 
why does he take double from the poor Indian, who asks 
for 110 thing } He comes from beyond the rising sun, witli 
his book in his hand, and he teaches the red man to read 
it ; but wliy does he forget himself all it says ? When the 
Indian gives, he is never satisfied ; and now he offers gold 
for the scalps of our women and children, though he calls 
us beasts if vve take the scalp of a warrior killed in open 
war. My name is Rivenoak.” 

When Hetty had got this formidable question fairly pre- 
sented to her mind in the translation, and Hist did her 
duty with more than usual readiness on this occasion, it 
scarcely need be said that she was sorely perplexed. Abler 
heads than that of this poor girl have frequently been puz- 
zled by questions of a similar drift ; and it is not surpris- 
ing that, with all her own earnestness and sincerity, she 
did not know wdiat answer to make. 

“What sliall I tell them. Hist ?” she asked, imploringly ; 
“I knmv that all I have read from the book is true ; and 
yet it wouldn’t seem so, would it, by the conduct of those 
to whom the book was given ? ” 

“ Give ’em pale-face reason,” returned Hist, ironically ; 
“that always good for one side; though be bad for 
t’other.” 

“No, no. Hist, there can’t be two sides to truth — and 
yet it does seem strange ! I’m certain I have read the 
verses right, and no one would be so wicked as to print 
the word- of God wrong. That ctxu. never be. Hist.” 

“Well, to poor Injin girl it seem everything be to 
pale-faces,” returned the other, coolly. “ One time ’ey 
say white, and one time ’ey say black. “Why, never am 
he ? ” 

Hetty was more and more embarrassed, until, overcome 
with the apprehension that she had failed in her object, 
and that the lives of her father and Hurry wpuld be tiie 
forfeit of some blunder of her own, she burst into tears. 
From that moment the manner of Hist lost all its irony 


* i88 


THE DEER SLAYER. 




and cool indifference, and she became the fond caressing 
friend again. Throwing her arms around the afflicted 
girl, she attempted to soothe her sorrows by the scarcely 
ever failing remedy of female sympathy. 

“ Stop cry — no cry,” she said, wiping the tears from the 
face of Hetty, as she would have performed the same 
office for a child, and stopping to press her, occasionally, 
to her own warm bosom with the affection of a sister ; 
“why you so trouble ? You no make he book, if he be 
wrong ; and you no make he pale-face, if he be wicked. 
There wicked red man and wicked white man — no color 
all good — no color all wicked. Chiefs know that well 
enough.” 

Hetty soon recovered from this sudden burst of grief, 
and then her mind reverted to the purpose of her visit, 
with its single-hearted earnestness. Perceiving that the 
grim-looking • chiefs were still standing around her, in 
grave attention, she hoped that another effort to convince 
them of the right might be successful. 

“Listen, Hist,” she said, struggling to suppress her 
sobs, and to speak distinctly ; “ tell the chiefs that it 
matters not what the wicked do — right is right — the 
words of the Great Spirit are the words of the Great 
Spirit — and no one can go liarmless for doing an evil act, 
because another has done it before him ! Render good for 
evil,' says this book ; and that is the law for the red man 
as well as for the white man.” 

“Never hear such law among Delaware, or among Iro- 
quois,”- answered Hist, soothingly. “No good to tell 
chiefs any such law as dat. Tell ’em somet’ing they be- 
lieve.” 

Hist was about to proceed, notwithstanding, when a tap 
on the shoulder, from the finger of the oldest chief, caused 
her to look up. She then perceived that one of the war- 
riors had left the group, and was already returning to it 
with H utter and Hurry. Understanding that the last two 
were to become parties in the inquiry, she became mute, 
with the unhesitating obedience of an Indian woman. In 
a few seconds the prisoners stood face to face with the 
principal men of ‘the captors. 

“ Daughter,” said the senior chief to the young Dela- 
ware, “ ask this graybeard why he came into our camp ? ” 


THE DEERS LA YER. 


189 


The -question was put by Hist, in her own imperfect 
English, but in a way that was easy to be understood. 
Hutter was too stern and obdurate by nature to shrink 
from the consequences of any of his acts, and he was al^o 
too familiar with the opinions of the savages not to un- 
derstand that nothing was to be gained by equivocation, 
or an unmanly dread of their anger. Without hesitating, 
therefore, he avowed the purpose with which he had 
landed, merely justifying it by the fact that the govern- 
ment of the province had bid high for scalps. This frank 
avowal was received by the Iroquois with evident satisfac- 
tion, not so much, however, on account of the advantage 
it gave them in a moral point of view, as by proving that 
they had captured a man worthy of occupying their 
thoughts, and .of becoming a subject of their revenge. 
Hurry, when interrogated, confessed the truth, though he 
would have been more disposed to concealment than his 
sterner companion, did the circumstances very well admit 
of its adoption. But he had tact enough to discover 
that equivocation would be useless at that moment, and 
he made a merit of necessity by imitating a frankness 
which, in the case of Hutter, was the offspring of habits 
<jf indifference, acting on a disposition that was always 
’ruthless and reckless of personal consequences. 

As soon as the chiefs had received the answers to their 
questions they walked away in silence, like men who 
(leemed the matter disposed of, all Hetty’s dogmas being 
thrown away on beings trained in violence from infancy 
to'mtinhood. Hetty and Hist were now left alone with 
Hutter and Hurry, no visible restraint being placed on the 
movements of either ; though all four, in fact, were vigi- 
lantly and unceasingly watched. As respects the men, 
care was had to prevent them from getting possession of 
any of the rifles that lay scattered about, their own in- 
cluded ; and there all open manifestations of watchfulness 
ceased. But they, who were so experienced in Indian prac- 
tices, knew too well how great was the distance between 
appearances and reality, to become the dupes of this seem- 
ing carelessness. Although both thought incessantly on 
the means of escape, and this without ‘conceit, each was 
aware of the uselessness of attempting any project of the 
sort that was not deeply laid and promptly executed. They 


190 ' THE DERRSLAYER. 

had been long enough in the encampment, and were suf- 
hciently observant to have ascertained that Hist, also, was 
a sort of captive ; and, presuming on the circumstance, 
Hutter spoke in her presence more openly than he might 
otherwise have thought it prudent to do ; inducing Hurry 
to be equally unguarded by his example. 

“I'll not blame you, Hetty, for coming on this errand, 
which was well meant, if not very wisely planned,” com- 
menced the father, seating himself by the side of his daugh- 
ter, and taking her hand ; a sign of affection that this rude 
being was accustomed to manifest to this particular child ; 
“ but preaching and the Bible are not the means to turn 
an Indian from his ways. Has Deerslayer sent any mes- 
sage ; or has he any scheme by which he thinks to get us 
free ? ” 

“ Ay, that’s the substance of it ! ” put in Hurry “if you 
can help us, gal, to half a mile of freedom, or even a good 
start of a short quarter, I’ll answer for the rest. Perhaps 
the old man may want a little more, but for one of my 
height and years that will meet all objections.” 

Hetty looked distressed, turning her eyes from one to 
the other ; but she had no answer to give to the question 
of the reckless Hurry. 

“Father,” she said, “neither Deerslayer nor Judith’ 
knew of my coming, until I had left the ark. They are 
afraid the Iroquois will make a raft, and try to get off to 
the hut, and think more of defending that^ than of coming 
to aid you.” 

“ No — no — no,” said Hist, hurriedly, though in^ low 
voice, and with her face bent toward the earth, in order 
to conceal from those whom she knew to be watching them 
the fact of her speaking at all. “ No, no, no, Deerslayer 
different man. He no t’ink of defending ’self, with friend 
in danger. Help one another, and all get to hut.” 

“ This sounds well, old Tom,” said Hurry, winking and 
laughing, though he too used the precaution to speak low. 
“ Give me a ready-witted squaw for a fri’nd, and though 
I’ll not down-right defy an Iroquois, I think I would defy 
the devil.” 

“No talk loud,” said Hist; “some Iroquois got Yen- 
geese tongue, and all got Yengeese ears.” 

“Have we a friend in you, young woman?” inquired 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


191 

Hutter, with an increasing interest in the conference. 
“ If so, you may calculate on a solid reward ; and nothing 
will be easier than to send you to your own tribe, if we 
can once fairly get you olf with us to the castle. Give us 
the ark and the canoes, and we can command the lake 
spite of all the savages in the Canadas. Nothing but ar- 
tillery could drive us out of the castle, if we can get back 
to it.” 

“ S’pose ’ey come ashore to take scalp ?” retorted Hist, 
with cool irony, at which the girl appeared to be more ex- 
pert than is common for her sex. 

“Ay, ay — that was a mistake ; but there is little use in 
lamentations, and less still, young woman, in flings.” 

“ Father,” said Hetty, “Judith thinks of breaking open 
the big chest, in hopes of finding something in that which 
may buy your freedom of the savages.” 

A dark look came over Hutter at the announcement of 
this fact, and he muttered his dissatisfaction in a way to 
render it intelligible enough. 

“ What for no break open chest? ’’put in Hist. “Life 
sweeter than old chest — scalp sweeter than old chest. If 
no tell darter to break him open, Wah-ta!-Wah no help 
him to run away.” 

“ Ye know not ,what ye ask — ye are but silly girls, and 
the wisest way for ye both is to speak of what ye under- 
stand, and to speak of nothing else. * I little like this cold 
neglect of the savages. Hurry ; it’s a proof that they think 
of something serious, and, if we are to do anything, we 
must do it soon. Can we count on this young woman, 
think you ? ” 

“ Listen,” said Hist, quickly, and with an earnestness 
that proved how much her feelings were concerned ; 
“ Wah-ta l-Wah no Iroquois — all over Delaware — got Dela- 
ware heart — Delaware feeling. She prisoner, too. One 
prisoner help t’udder prisoner. No good to talL more 
now. Darter stay with fader — Wah-ta !-Wah come and see 
friend — all look right — then tell what he do.” 

This was said in a low voice, but distinctly, and in a man- 
ner to make an impression. As soon as it was uttered, the 
girl arose and left the group, walking composedly toward 
the hut she occupied, as if she had no further interest in 
what might pass between the pale-faces. 


193 


THE DEEKSLA YEE. 


CHAPTER XII. 

“ She speaks much of her father ; says she hears 

There’s tricks i’ the world ; and hems, and beats her heart ; 
Spurns enviously at straws ; speaks things in doubt, 

That carry but half sense ; her speech is nothing. 

Yet the unsuspected use of it doth move 
The hearers to collection.” — Shakespeare. 


We left the occupants of the castle and the ark buried in 
sleep. Once or twice, in the course of the night, it is true, 
Deerslayer or the. Delaware arose and looked out upon the 
tranquil lake, when, finding all safe, each returned to his 
pallet, and slept like a man who was not easily deprived of 
his natural rest. At the first signs of dawn the former 
arose, however, and made his personal arrangeipents for 
tlie day ; though his companion, wdiose nights had not been 
tranquil or without disturbance of late, continued on Ids 
blankets until the sun had fairly risen. Judith, too, was 
later than common that morning, for the earlier hours of 
the night had brought her little of either refreshment or 
sleep. But ere the sun had shown himself over the east- 
ern hills, these too were up and afoot, even the tardy, in 
that region, seldom remaining on the pallets after the ap- 
pearance of the great luminary. 

Chingachgook was in the act of arranging his forest 
toilet, when Deerslayer entered the cabin of the ark, and 
threw him a few coarse but light summer vestments that 
belonged to Hutter. 

“Judith hath given me them for your use, chief,” said 
the latter, as he cast the jacket and trousers at the feet of 
the Indian ; “for it’s ag’in all prudence and caution to be 
seen in your war-dress and paint. Wash off all them fiery 
streaks from your cheeks, put on the garments, and here is 
a hat, such as it is, that will give you an awful oncivilized 
sort of civilization, as the missionaries call it. Remember 
that Hist is at hand, and what we do for the maiden must 
be done while we are doing for others. I know it’s ag’in 
your gifts and your natur’ to wear clothes unless they are 
cut and carried in a red man’s fashion, but make a vartue 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


193 


of necessity, and put these on at once, even if they do rise 
a little in your throat.” 

Chingachgook, or the Serpent, eyed tlie vestments with 
strong disgust ; but he saw the usefulness of the disguise, 
if not its absolute necessity. Should the Iroquois discover 
a red man in or about the castle, it might indeed place them 
more on their guard, and give tlieir suspicions a direction 
toward their female captive. Anything was better than a 
failure, as it regarded his betrotlied, and after turning the 
different garments round and round, examining them with 
a species of grave irony, affecting to draw them on in a way 
that defeated itself, and otherwise manifesting the reluct- 
ance of a young savnge to confine his limbs in the usual 
appliances of civilized life, the chief submitted to the direc- 
tions of his companion, and finally stood forth, so far as the 
eye could detect, a red man in color alone. Little was to 
be apprehended from this last peculiarity, however, the dis- 
tance fi/jm tire shore* and the want of glasses preventing 
any very close scrutiny, and Deerslayer himself, though of 
a brighter and fresher tint, had a countenance that was 
burned by the sun to a hue scarcely less red than that of 
his Mohican companion. The awkwardness of the Dela- 
ware, in his new attire, caused his friend to smile more than 
once that day, but he carefully abstained from the use of any 
of those jokes which would have been bandied among white 
men on such an occasion ; the habits of a chief, the dignity 
of a warrior on his first path, and the gravity of the cir- 
cumstances in which they were placed, uniting to render 
so much levity out of season. 

The meeting at the morning meal of the three islanders, 
if we may use the term, was silent, grave, and thoughtful. 
Judith showed by her looks that she had passed an unquiet 
night, while the two men had the future before them, with 
its unseen and unknown events. A few words of courtesy 
passed between Deerslayer and the girl in the course of the 
breakfast, but no allusion was made to their situation. At 
I -'ngth Judith, whose heart was full, and whose novel feel- 
iiigs disposed her to entertain sentiments more gentle and 
tender than cominor. introduced the subject, and this in a 
way to show how much of her thoughts it had occupied in 
the course of the last sleepless night. 

“ It would be dreadful Deerslayer,” the girl abruptly 



194 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


exclaimed, “ should anything serious befall my father and 
Hetty ! We cannot remain quietly here and leave them in 
the hands of the Iroquois, without bethinking us of some 
means of serving them.” 

“I’m ready, Judith, to sarve them, and all others who 
are in trouble, could the way to do it be pointed out. It’s 
no trifling matter to fall into red-skin hands, when men 
set out on an a’r’nd like that which took Hutter and Hurry 
ashore; that I know as well as* another; and I wouldn’t 
wish my worst inimy in such a strait, much less them with 
W’hom I’ve journeyed, and ate, and slept. Have you any 
scheme that you would like to have the Sarpent and me 
indivor to carry out ? ” 

“ I know of no other means to release the prisoners than 
by bribing the Iroquois. They are not proof against pres- 
ents ; and we might offer enough, perhaps, to make them 
think it better to carry away what to them will be rich gifts 
than to carry away poor prisoners ; if indeed, they should 
carry them away at all.” 

“ This is well enough, Judith ; yes, it’s well enough, if 
the inimy is to be bought, and we can find articles to make 
the purchase with. Your father has a convenient lodge, 
and it is most cunningly placed ; though it doesn’t seem 
overstocked with riches that will be likely to buy his ran- 
som. There’s the piece he calls Kill-deer might count for 
something, and I understand there’s a keg of powder 
about, which might be a make-weight, sartin ; and yet two 
able-bodied men are not to be bought off for a trifle ; 
besides ” 

“ Besides what ? ” demanded Judith, impatiently, observ- 
ing that the other hesitated to proceed, probably from a 
reluctance to distress her. 

“Why, Judith, the Frenchers offer bounties as well as 
our own side ; and the price of two scalps would purchase 
a keg of powder and a rifle ; though I’ll not say one of 
the latter altogether as good as Kill-deer there, which 
your father va’nts as oncommon, and onequalled, like. 
But fair powder, and a pretty sartain rifle ; then the i^d 
men are not the expartest in fire-arms, and don’t always 
know the difference atwixt that which is ra’al, and that 
which is seeming.” 

“ This is horrible ! ” mutterec he girl, struck by the 


THE DEER SLAYER, 


195 


homely inanner in which her companion was accustomed 
to st;)te his facts. “But you overlook my own clothes, 
Dcerslayer ; and they, I think, might go far with the 
•; n of the Iroquois.” 

, ^ 0 doubt they would ; no doubt they would, Judith,” 

reiiu : ' 1 the other, looking at her keenly, as if he would 
as 'crtain whether she was really capable of making such 
a sacrilice. “ But are you sartain, gal, you could find it 
in your ''cart to part with your own finery for such a pur- 
pose ? ^J^any is the man who has thought he was valiant 
till 4;?ngcr stared him in the face ; I’ve known them too 
that ce r/'ited they were kind and ready to give away all 
they h r ' tv) the poor, when they’ve been listening to other 
people' rd-heartedness, but whose fists have clinched as 
tight as th'^ riven hickory, when it came to downright 
offerings of uieir own. Besides, Judith, you’re handsome 
— oncommon. in that way, one might obsarve, and do no 
harm to the truth^and they that have beauty like to have 
that which will adorn it. Are you sartain you could find 
it in your heart to part with your own finery ? ” 

The soothing alltision to the personal charms of the 
girl was well-timed, to counteract the effect produced by 
the distrust that the young man expressed of Judith’s de- 
votion to her filial duties..; Had another said as much as 
Deerslayer, the complimdi ' AT)idd most probably have 
been overlooked, in the iia’’ ; an awakened by the 
doubts ; but even the unpolished siacerity, that so often 
made this simple-minded hunter bare his^ thoughts, had a 
charm for the girl ; and while she colon d, ind for an in- 
stant her eyes flashed fire, she could not fliid' it in her 
heart to be really angry with one whose very soid seemed 
truth and manly kindness. Look her reproaches cdic edd : 
but, conquering the desire to retort, she succeeded in an 
swering in a mild and friendly manner. 

“You must keep all your favorable opinions for the 
Delaware girls, Deerslayer, if you seriously think thus of 
those of our own color,” she said, affecting to laugh. “ But, 
t/y me ; if you find that I regret either ribbon or feather, 
silk or muslin, then may you think what you please of 
my heart, and say what you think.” 

“That’s justice ! The rarest thing to find on arth is a 
truly just man. So says Tamenund, the wisest prophet 


196 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


of the Delawares ; and so all must think that have 
sion to see, and talk, and act among mankind. I lOve a 
just man,^arpent ; his eyes are never covered with dark- 
ness toward his inimies, while they are all sunshine mid 
brightness toward his fri’nds. He uses the reason irtiat 
God has given him, and he uses it with a feelin’ \i 
being ordered to look at, and to consider things as dbey 
and not as he wants them to be. It’s easy en ouoh to 
find men who call themselves just ; but it’s won. crfully 
uncommon to find them that are the very thing [i fact. 
How often have I seen Indians, gal, who believcci fiiey 
were lookin’ into a matter agreeable to the will of the Great 
Spirit, when, in truth, they were only striving to act up 
to their own will and pleasure, and tliis, half o. he time, 
with a temptation to go wrong, that could no nc : lie seen 
by themselves, than the stream that runs in the imxc valley 
can be seen by us through yonder mountain ; ihough any 
looker-on might have discovered it as plabdy as we can 
discover the parch that are swimming aKHuid this hut.” 

“Very true, Deerslayer,” rejoined Judith, losing every 
trace of displeasure in a bright smile, “very true ; and I 
hope to see you act on this love of justice in all matters 
in which I am concerned. Above all, I hope you will judge 
for yourself, and not believe every evil story that a prating 
idler, like Hurry Harry, may have to tell, that goes to 
touch the good name of anv young woman who may not 
happen to have sanie opinions of his face and person 
that tlie blust . ring gallant has of himself.” 

“ Hurry T arr} s idees do not pass for gospel with me, 
Judith ; ’ a rven worse than he may have eyes and ears,” 
returnC'J liio other, gravely. 

“ Vi'iough of this ! ” exclaimed Judith, with flashing eye, 
;;nd a flush that mounted to her temples ; “ and more of 
my father and his ransem. ’Tis as you say, Deerslayer ; 
the Indians will not be likely to give up their prisoners 
without a heavier bribe than my clothes can offer, and fa- 
ther’s rifle and powder. There is the chest.” 

“Ay, there is the cliist, as you say, Judith ; and when 
the question gets to be between a secret and a scalp, I 
should think most men would prefar keeping the last. 
Did your father ever give you any downright command 
consarning that chist ? ” 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


197 


“ Never. He has always appeared to think its locks, 
and its steel bands, and its strength, its best protection.” 

“ ’Tis a rare chist, and altogether of curious lAiild,” re- 
turned Deerslayer, rising and approaching the thing in 
question, on which he seated himself, with a view to ex- 
amine it with greater ease. “ Chingachgook, this is no 
wood that comes of any forest that you or I have ever 
trailed through ! ’Tisn’t the black walnut ; and yet it’s 
quite as comely, if not more so, did the smoke and the 
treatment give it fair play.” 

The Delaware drew near, felt of the wood, examined its 
grain, endeavored to indent the surface with a nail, and 
passed his hand curiously over the steel bands, the heavy 
padlocks, and the other novel peculiarities of the massive 
box. 

“No — nothing like this grows in these regions,” re- 
sumed Deerslayer ; “ I’ve seen all the oaks, both the ma- 
ples, the elms, the basswood, all the walnuts, the butter- 
nuts, and every tree that has a substance and color, wrought 
into some form or other ; but never have I before seen 
such a wood as this — Judith, the chist itself would buy 
your father’s freedom ; or Iroquois cur’osity isn’t as strong 
as red-skin cur’osity, in general ; especially in the matter 
of woods.” 

“ The purchase might be cheaper made, perhaps, Deer- 
slayer. The chest is full, and it would be better to part 
with half than to part with the whole. Besides, father — I 
know not why — but father values that chest highly.” 

“ He would seem to prize what it holds more than the 
chist itself, judging by the manner in which he treats the 
outside and secures the inside. tierc are three locks, 
Judith ; is there no key ? ” 

“ I’ve never seen one ; and yet key there must be, since 
Hetty told us she had often seen tlie chest opened.” 

“ Keys no more lie in the air, or float on the water, than 
humans, gal ; if there is a key, there must be a place in 
which it is kept.” 

“ That is true, and it might not be difficult to find it, did 
we dare to search.” 

“ This is for you, Judith ; it is altogether for you. The 
chist is your’n, or your father’s; and Hutter is your father, 
not mine. Cur’osity is a woman’s, and not a man’s failing ; 


198 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


and there you have got all the reasons before you. If the 
chist has articles for ransom, it seems to me they would be 
wisely used in redeeming their owner’s life, or even in sav- 
ing his scalp ; but that is a matter for your judgment, 
and not for our’n. When the lawful owner of a trap, or a 
buck, or a canoe, isn’t present, his next of kin becomes his 
riprisentatyve, by all the laws of the woods. We there- 
fore leave you to say whether the chist shall or shall not 
be opened.” 

“ I hope you do not believe I can hesitate, when my 
father’s life’s in danger, Deerslayer ! ” 

“Why, it’s pretty much putting a scolding ag’in tears 
and mourning. It’s not onreasonable to foretell that old 
Tom may find fault with what you’ve done, when he sees 
himself once more in his hut, here ; but there’s nothing 
unusual in men’s falling out with what has been done for 
their own good ; I dare say that even the moon would seem 
a different thing from what it now does, could we look at 
it from the other side.” 

“ Deerslayer, if we can find the key, I will authorize you 
to open the chest, and to take such things from it as you 
may think will buy father’s ransom/’ 

“ First find the key, gal ; we’ll talk of the rest a’terward. 
Sarpent, you’ye eyes like a fly, and a judgment that’s sel- 
dom out : can you help us, in calculating where Floating 
Tom would be apt to keep the key of a chist that he holds 
to be as private as this ? ” 

The Delaware had taken no part in the discourse, until 
he was thus directly appealed to, when he quitted the 
chest, which had continued to attract his attention, and 
cast about him for the place in which a key would be likely 
to be concealed under such circumstances. As Judith and 
Deerslayer were not idle the while, the whole three were 
soon engaged in an anxious and spirited search. As it 
was certain that the desired key was not to be found in 
any of the common drawers or closets, of which there were 
several in the building, none looked there, but all turned 
their inquiries to those places that struck them as ingeni- 
ous hiding-places, and more likely to be used for such a 
purpose. In this manner the outer room was thoroughly 
but fruitlessly examined ; when they entered the sleeping 
apartment of flutter. This part of the rude building was 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


199 


b: ' ’ Fiirnislied than the rest of the structure, containing 
several articles that had been especially devoted to the ser- 
vice of the deceased wife of its owner ; but as Judith had 
all the rest of the keys, it was soon rummaged, without 
bringing to light the particular key desired. 

They now entered the bedroom of the daughter. Chin- 
gachgook was immediately struck with the contrast be- 
tween the articles, and the arrangement of that side of the 
room that might be called Judith’s, and that which more 
properly belonged to Hetty. A slight exclamation escaped 
him, and pointing in each direction, he alluded to the fact 
in a low voice, speaking to his friend in the Delaware 
tongue. 

“As you think, Sarpent,” answered Deerslayer, whose 
remarks we always translate into English, preserving as 
much as possible of the peculiar phraseology and manner 
of the man. “’Tis just so, as any one may see ; and ’tis 
all founded in natur’. One sister loves finery, some say, 
overmuch ; while t’other is as meek and lowly as God ever 
created goodness and truth. Yet, after all, I dare say that 
Judith has her vartues, and Hetty has her failin’s.” 

“And the ‘ Feeble-Mind’ has seen the chest opened V 
inquired Chingachgook, with curiosity in his glance. 

“ Sartain ; that much I’ve heard from her own lips ; and, 
for that matter, so have you. It seems her father doesn’t 
misgive her discretion, though he does that of his eldest 
darter.” 

“ Then the key is hid only from the Wild Rose ? ” for so 
Chingachgook had begun gallantly to term Judith, in his 
private discourse with his friend. 

“ That’s it ! That’s just it ! One he trusts and the other 
he doesn’t. There’s red and white, in that Sarpent ; all 
tribes and nations agreeing in trusting some and refushig 
to trust other some. It depends on character and j’'dg- 
ment.” 

“Where could a key be put, so little likely to be lv)und 
by the Wild Rose, as among coarse clothes ?” 

Deerslayer started, and turning to his friend with admi- 
ration expressed in every lineament of his face, he fairly 
laughed, in his silent but hearty manner, at the ingenuity 
and readiness of the conjecture. 

“ Your name’s well bestowed, Sarpent — yes, ’tis well be- 


200 


THE DEERSLAYRR. 


stowed ! Sure enough, where would a lover of finery be 
so little likely to s’arch, as among garments as coarse and 
unseemly as these of poor Hetty ? I dares to say Judith’s 
delicate fingers haven’t touched a bit of cloth as rough and 
oncomely as that petticoat, now, since she’s first made ac- 
quaintance with the officers ! Yet, who knows ? the key 
may be as likely to be on the same peg, as in any other 
place. Take down the garment, Delaware, and let us see 
if you are ra’ally a prophet.” 

Chingachgook did as desired, but no key was found. 
A coarse pocket, apparently empty, hung on the adjoin- 
ing peg, and this was next examined. By this time, the 
attention of Judith was called in that direction, and she 
spoke hurriedly, and like one who wished to save unneces- 
sary trouble. 

“ These are only the clothes of poor Hetty, dear simple 
girl ! ” she said ; “ nothing we seek would be likely to be 
there.” 

The words were hardly out of the handsome mouth of 
the speaker, when Chingachgook drew the desired key 
from the pocket. Judith was too quick of apprehension 
not to understand the reason a hiding-place so pimple and 
exposed had been used. The blood rushed to her face, as 
much with resentment, perhaps, as with shame ; and she 
bit lier lip, though she continued silent. Deerslayer and 
his friend now discovered the delicacy of men of native 
refinement, neither smiling, or even by a glance betray- 
ing how completely he understood the motives and inge- 
nuity of this clever artifice. The former, who had taken 
the key from the Indian, led the way into the adjoining 
room, and, applying it to a lock, ascertained that the right 
instrument had actually been found. There were three 
padlocks, each of which, however, was easily opened by 
this single key. Deerslayer removed them all, loosened 
the hasps, raised the lid a little to make certain it was 
loose, and then he drew back from the chest several feet, 
signing to his friend to follow. 

“This is a family chist, Judith,” he said : and ’tis like to 
hold family secrets. The Sarpent and I will go into the 
ark, and look tq the canoes, and paddles, and oars ; while 
you can examine it by yourself, and find out whether 
anything that will be a make-weight in a ransom is or is 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


/ 

20 1 


not among the articles. When you’ve got through, give 
us a call, and we’ll all sit in council together, touching the 
valie of the articles.” 

‘‘ Stop, Deerslayer,” exclaimed the girl, as he was about 
to withdraw ; “not a single thing will I touch — I will not 
even raise the lid — unless you are present. Father and 
Hetty have seen fit to keep the inside of this chest a se- 
cret from me, and I am much too proud to pry into their 
hidden treasures, unless it were for their own good. But 
on no account will I open the chest alone. Stay with me, 
then ; I want witnesses of what I do.” 

“ I rather think, Sarpent, that the gal is right ! Confi- 
dence and reliance beget security, but suspicion is like to 
make us all wary. Judith has a right to ask us to be pres-^ 
ent ; and should the chist hold any of Master Hutter’s 
secrets, they will fall into the keeping of two as closed- 
mouthed young men as are to be found. We will stay 
with you, Judith — but first let us take a look at the lake and 
the shore, for this chist will not be emptied in a minute.” 

The two men now went out on the platform, and Deer- 
slayer swept the shore with the glass, while the Indian 
gravely turned his eye on the water and the woods in 
quest of any sign that might betray the machinations of 
their enemies. Nothing was visible, and assured of tlieir 
temporary security, the three collected around the chest 
again, with the avowed object of opening it. ^ 

Judith had held this chest, and its unknown contents, in 
a species of reverence as long as she could remember. 
Neither her father nor her mother ever mentioned it in 
her presence ; and there appeared to be a silent conven- 
tion, that in naming the different objects tliat occasionally 
stood near it, or even lay on its lid, care should be had to 
avoid any allusion to the chest itself. Habit rendered tliis 
so easy, and so much a matter of course, that it was only 
quite recently the girl had begun even to muse on the sin- 
gularity of the circumstance. But there had never been 
sufficient intimacy between Hutterand his eldest daughter 
to invite confidence. At times, he was kind, but in general, 
with her more especially, he was stern and morose. Least 
of all had his authority been exercised in a way to em- 
bolden his child to venture on the liberty she was about 
to take, without many misgivings of the consequences, 


202 


THE DEERSLAYER.' 


although the liberty proceeded from a desire to serve him- 
self. Then Judith' was not altogether free from a little 
superstition on the subject of this chest, which had stood 
a sort of tabooed relic before her eyes from childhood to 
the present hour. Nevertheless, the time had come when 
it would seem that this mystery was to be explained, and 
that under circumstances, too, which left her very little 
choice in the matter. 

Finding that both her companions were watching her 
movements in grave silence, Judith placed a hand on the 
lid, and endeavored to raise it. Her strength, however, 
was insufficient, and it appeared to the girl, who was fully 
aware that all the fastenings were removed, that she was 
resisted in an unhallowed attempt by some supernatural 
power. 

“I cannot raise the lid, Deerslayer,” she said ; “had we 
not better give up the attempt, and find some other means 
of releasing the prisoners? ” 

“Not so, Judith ; no so, gal. No means are as sartin 
and easy as a good bribe,” answered the other. “As for 
the lid, 'tis held by nothing but its own weight, which is 
prodigious for so small a piece of wood, loaded with iron, 
as it is.” 

As Deerslayer spoke, he applied his own strength to the 
effort, and succeeded in raising the lid against the timbers 
of the house, where he took care to secure it by a sufficient 
prop. Judith fairly trembled as she cast her first glance 
at the interior, and she felt a temporary relief in discover- 
ing that a piece of canvas that was carefully tucked in 
around the edges, effectually concealed all beneath it. The 
chest was, apparently, well stored, however, the canvas 
lying within an inch of the lid. 

“ Here’s a full cargo,” said Deerslayer, eyeing the ar- 
rangement • “ and we had needs go to work leisurely, and 
at our ease. Sarpent, twing some stools, while I spread 
this blanket on the floor, and then we’ll begin work orderly 
and in comfort.” 

The Delaware complied. Deerslayer civilly placed a 
stool for Judith, took one himself, and commenced the 
removal of the canvas covering. This was done delib- 
erately, and in as cautious a manner as if it were believed 
that fabrics of a delicate construction lay hidden beneath. 


THE DERRSLAYER, 


203 


When the canvas was removed, the first articles that came 
in view were some of the habiliments of the male sex. 
These were of fine materials, and, according to the fashions 
of the age, were gay in colors and rich in ornaments. One 
coat, in particular, was of scarlet, and had button-holes 
worked in gold thread. Still it was not military, but was 
part of the attire of a civilian of condition at a period when 
social rank was rigidly respected in dress. Chingachgook 
could not refrain from an exclamation of pleasure as soon 
as Deerslayer opened this coat and held it up to view, for, 
notwithstanding all his trained self-command, the splendor 
of the vestment was too much for the philosophy of an 
Indian. Deerslayer turned quickly, and he regarded his 
friend with momentary displeasure as this burst of weak- 
ness escaped him ; and then he soliloquized, as was his 
practice whenever any strong feeling suddenly got the as- 
cendancy. 

“’Tis his gift ! — yes, ’tis the gift of a red-skin to love 
finery, and he is not to be blamed. This is an extr’or- 
nary garment, too ; and extr’ornary things get up extr’or- 
nary feelin’s. I think this will do, Judith, for the Indian 
heart is hardly to be found in all America that can with- 
stand colors like these and glitter like that. If this coat 
was ever made for your father, you’ve come honestly by 
the taste for finery, you have.” 

“ That coat was never made for father,” answered the 
girl, quickly ; “ it is much too long ; while ^father is short 
and square.” 

“ Cloth was plenty, if it was, and glitter cheap,” an- 
swered Deerslayer, with his silent, joyous laugh. “ Sar- 
pent, this garment was made for a man of your size, and 
I should like to see it on your shoulders.” 

Chingachgook, nothing loath, submitted to the trial ; 
throwing aside the coarse and threadbare jacket of Hutter, 
to deck his person in a coat that was originally intended 
for a gentleman. The transformation was ludicrous ; but 
as men are seldom struck with incongruities in their own 
appearance any more than in their own conduct, the Del- 
aware studied this change in a common glass, by which 
Hutter was in the habit of shaving, with grave interest. 
At that moment he thought of Hist, and we owe it to 
truth to say, though it may militate a little against the 


204 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


Stern character of a warrior to own it, that he wished he 
could be seen by her in his present improved aspect. 

Off with it, Sarpent — off with it,” resumed the inflexi- 
ble Deerslayer ; ‘'such garments as little become you as 
they would become me. Your gifts are for paint, and 
hawk’s feathers, and blankets, and wampum ; and mine 
* are for doublets of skins, tough leggings, and serviceable 
moccasins. I say moccasins, Judith, for though white, 
living as I do in the woods, it’s necessary to take to some 
of the practices of the woods for comfort’s sake and 
cheapness.” 

“ I see no reason, Deerslayer, why one man may not 
wear a scarlet coat as well as another,” returned the girl. 
“ I wish I could see you in this handsome garment.” 

“ See me in a coat fit for a lord ! Well, Judith, if you 
wait till that day, you’ll wait until you see me beyond 
reason and memory. No — no — gal, my gifts are my gifts, 
and I’ll live and die in ’em, though I never bring down 
another deer or spear another salmon. What have I done 
that you should wish to see me in such a flaunting coat, 
Judith ? ” 

V “ Because T think, Deerslayer, that the false-tongued 
and false-hearted young gallants of the garrison ought not 
alone to appear in fine feathers ; but that truth and hon- 
esty have their claims to be honored and exalted.” 

“And what exaltification ” The reader will have re- 

marked that Deerslayer had not very critically studied his 
dictionary — “ and what exaltification would it be to me, 
Judith, to be bedizened and bescarleted like a Mingo chief 
that has just got his presents up from Quebec ? No — no 
— I’m well as I am ; and if not, I can be no better. Lay 
the coat down on the blanket, Sarpent, and let us look 
further into the chist.” 

The tempting garment, one surely that was never in- 
tended for Hutter, was laid aside, and the examination 
proceeded. The male attire, all of which corresponded 
•^vith the coat in quality, was soon exhausted, and then 
succeeded female. A beautiful dress of brocade, a little 
the worse from negligent treatment, followed ; and this 
time open exclamations of delight escaped the lips of Ju- 
dith. Much as the girl had been addicted to dress, and 
favorable as had been her opportunities of seeing some 


THE DERRSLAYER. 


205 


little pretension in that way, among the wives of the differ- 
ent commandants, and other ladies of the forts, never be- 
fore had she beheld a tissue or tints to equal those that 
were now so unexpectedly placed before, her eyes. Her 
rapture was almost childish ; nor would she allow the in- 
quiry to proceed until she had attired her person in a robe 
so unsuited to her habits and her abode. With this end 
she withdrew into her own room, where, with hands prac- 
tised in such offices, slie soon got rid of her own neat 
gown of linen, and stood forth in the gay tints of the bro- 
cade. The dress happened to fit the fine, full person of 
Judith, and certainly it had never adorned a being better 
qualified, by natural gifts, to do credit to its really rich 
hues and fine texture. When she returned, both Deer- 
slayer and Chingachgook, who had passed the brief tim'e 
of her absence in taking a second look at the male gar- 
ments, arose in surprise, each permitting exclamations of 
wonder and pleasure to escape him, in a way so unequiv- 
ocal as to add new lustre to the eyes of Judith, by flush- 
ing her cheeks witli a glow of triumph. Affecting, how- 
ever, not to notice the impression she had made, the girl 
seated herself with the stateliness of a queen, desiring that 
the chest might be looked into further. 

“ I don’t know a better way to treat with the Mingoes, 
gal,” cried Deerslayer, “ than to send you ashore as you be, 
and to tell ’em that a queen has arrived among ’em I 
They’ll giv^e up old Hutter, and Hurry, and Hetty, too, at 
at such a spectacle ! ” 

“ I thought your tongue too honest to flatter, Deerslayer,” 
returned the girl, gratified at tliis admiration more tnan she 
would have cared to own. “ One of the chief reasons of 
my respect for you was your love for truth.” 

“And ’tis truth, and solemn truth, Judith, and nothing 
else. Never did eyes of mine gaze on as glorious a look- 
ing creatur’ as you be yourself, at this very moment ! I’ve 
seen beauties in my time, too, both white and red ; and them 
that was renowned and talked of, far and near ; but never 
have -I beheld one that could hold any comparison with 
what you are at this blessed instant, Judith — never.” 

Tlie glance of delight which the girl bestowed on the 
frank-speaking hunter, in no degree lessened the effect of 
lier charms ; and, as the humid eyes blended with it a look 


2o6 


THE DERRSLAYER. 


of sensibility, perhaps Judith never appeared more truly 
lovely than at what the young man had called that “ blessed 
instant.” He shook his head, held it suspended a moment 
over the open chest like one in doubt, and then proceeded 
with the examination. 

Several of the minor articles of female dress came next, 
ail of a quality to correspond with the gown. These were 
laid at Judith’s feet, in silence, as if she had a natural claim 
to their possession. One or two, such as gloves and lace, 
the girl caught up, and appended to her already rich attire, 
in affected playfulness, but with the real design of deco- 
rating her person as far as circumstances would allow. 
When these two remarkable suits, male and female they 
might be termed, were removed, another canvas covering 
separated the remainder of the articles from the part of 
the chest which they had occupied. As soon as Deerslayer 
perceived this arrangement, he paused, doubtful of the pro- 
priety of proceeding any further. 

“Every man has his secrets, I suppose,” he said, “and 
all men have a right to their enj’yment ; we’ve got low 
enough in this chist in my judgment, to answer our wants, 
and it seems to me we should do well by going no further ; 
and by letting Master Hutty have to fiimself, and his own 
feelin’s, all that’s beneath this cover.” 

“ Do you mean, Deerslayer, to offer these clothes to the 
Iroquois as ransom ? ” demanded Judith, quickly. 

“ Sartin. What are we prying into another man’s chist 
for, but to sarve its owner in the best way we can ? This 
coat, alone, would be very apt to gain over the head-chief 
of the^iptyles ; and if his wife or darter should happen to 
be out with him, that there gownd would soften the heart 
of any woman that is to be found atween Albany and Mon- 
treal. I do not see that we want a larger stock in trade 
than them two articles.” 

“To you it may seem so, Deerslayer,” returned the dis- 
appointed girl ; “but of what use could a dress like this be 
to any Indian woman ? She could not wear it among the 
branches of the trees ; the dirt and smoke of the wigwam 
would soon soil it ; and how would a pair of red arms ap- 
pear thrust througli these short, laced sleeves ? ” 

“ All very true, gal ; and you might go on and say it is 
altogether out of time, and place, and season, in this region 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


207 


at all. What is it to us how the finery is treated, so long 
as it answers our wishes ? I do not see that your father 
can make any use of such clothes ; and it’s lucky he has 
things that are of no valie to himself, that will bear a high 
price with others. We can make no better trade for him 
than to offer these duds for his liberty. We’ll throw in the 
light frivol’ties, and get Hurry off in the bargain ! ” 

“Then you think, Deerslayer, that Thomas H utter has 
no one in his family — no child — no daughter — to whom 
this dress may be thought becoming, and whom you could 
wish to see in it once and a while, even though it should 
be at long intervals, and only in playfulness ? ” 

“I understand you, Judith — yes, I now understand your 
meaning ; and, I think I can say, your wishes. That you 
are as glorious in that dress as the sun when it rises or 
sets in a soft October day. I’m ready to allow ; and that 
you greatly become it is a good deal more sartin than that 
it becomes you. There’s gifts in clothes as well as in other 
things. Now I do not think that a warrior on his first path 
ought to lay on the same awful paints as a chief who has 
had his virtues tried, and knows from exper’ence he will 
not disgrace his pretentions. So it is with us all, red or 
white. You are Thomas Mutter’s darter, and that gownd 
was made for the child of some governor, or a lady of high 
station ; and it was intended to be worn among fine furni- 
ture and in rich company. In my eyes, Judith, a modest 
maiden never looks more becoming than when becom- 
ingly clad, and nothing is suitable that is out of character. 
Besides, gal, if ther’s a creatur’ in the colony that can af- 
ford to do without finery, and to trust to her own good 
looks and sweet countenance, it’s yourself.” 

“ I’ll take off the rubbish this instant, Deerslayer,” cried 
the girl, springing up to leave the room, “ and never do I 
wish to see it on any human being again.” 

“ So it is with them all, Sarpent,” said the other, turn- 
ing to his friend and laughing, as soon as the beauty had 
disappeared. “ They like finery, but they like their natyve 
charms most of all. I’m glad the gal has consented to lay 
aside her furbelows, howsever, for it’s ag’in reason for one 
of her class to wear ’em ; and then she is handsome enough, 
as I call it, to go alone. Hist would show oncommon like- 
ly, too, in such a gownd, Delaware ! ” 


2o8 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


“ \Vah>ta !-Wali is a red-skin girl, Deerslayer,” returned 
the Indian ; ‘‘like the young of the pigeon, she is to be 
known by her own feathers. I should pass by without 
knowing her were she dressed in such a skin. It’s wisest 
always to be so clad that our friends need not ask us for 
our names. The ‘ Wild Rose ’ is very pleasant, but she is 
no .sweeter for so many colors.” 

“ That’s it — that’s natur’, and the true foundation for 
love and protection. When a man stops to pick a wild 
strawberry he does not expect to find a melon ; and when 
he wishes to gather a melon he’s disapp’inted if it proves 
to be a squash, though squashes be often brighter to the 
eye than melons. That’s it, and it means stick to your gifts 
and your gifts will stick to you.” 

The two men had now a little discussion together touch- 
ing the propriety of penetrating any further into the chest 
of Flutter when Judith reappeared, divested of her robes, 
and in her own simple linen frock again. 

“Thank you, Judith,” said Deerslayer, taking her kind- 
ly by the hand, “ for I know it went a little ag’in the nat’ral 
cravings of a woman to lay aside so much finery as it might 
be in a lump. But you’re more pleasing to the eye as you 
stand, you be, than if you had a crown on your head and 
jewels dangling from your hair. The question now is 
whether to lift this covering to see what will be ra’ally the 
best bargain we can make for Master Flutter, for we must 
do as we think he would be willing to do did he stand here 
in our places.” 

Judith looked very happy. Accustomed as she was to 
adulation, the humble homage of Deerslayer had given 
her more true satisfaction than she had ever yet received 
from the tongue of man. It was not the terms in which 
this admiration had been expressed, for they were simple 
enough, that produced so strong an impression ; nor yet 
their novelty, or their warmth of manner, nor any of those 
peculiarities that usually give value to praise ; but the un- 
flinching truth of the speaker, that carried his words so 
directly to the heart of the listener. This is one of the 
great advantages of plain dealing and frankness. The 
habitual and wily flatterer may succeed until his practices 
recoil on himself, and, like other sweets, his aliment cloys 
by its excess ; but he who deals honestly, though he often 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


209 


necessarily offend, possesses a power of praising that no 
quality but sincerity can bestow ; since his words go di- 
rectly to the heart, finding their support in the understand- 
ing. Thus it was with Deerslaycr and Judith: so soon 
and so deeply did this simple hunter impress those who 
know him with a conviction of his unbending honesty, 
that all he uttered in commendation was as certain to please 
as all he uttered in the way of rebuke was as certain to rankle 
and excite enmity where his character had not awakened a 
respect "and affection, that in another sense rendered it 
painful. In after-life, when the career of this untutored 
being bro.ught him in contact with officers of rank, and 
others intrusted witli the care of the interests of the State, 
this same influence was exerted on a wider field ; even 
generals listening to his commendations with a glow of 
pleasure that it was not always in the power of their official 
superiors to awaken. Perhaps Judith was the first indi- 
vidual of his own color who fairly submitted to this natural 
consequence of truth and fair-dealing, on the part of Deer- 
slayer. She had actually pined for his praise, and she had 
now received it ; and that in the form which was most agree- 
able to her weaknesses and habits of thought. The resul' 
will appear in the course of the narrative. i 

“ If we knew all that chest holds, Deerslayer,” -h 
turned the girl, when she had a little recovered fron-nd 
immediate effect produced by his commendations c-hat 
personal appearance, “we could better determine .esti- 
course we ought to take.” t. It 

“That’s not onreasonable, gal, thoiigh it’s moreisdis- 
face than a red-skin gift, to be prying into other riming 
secrets.” - other 

“ Curiosity is natural, and it is expected that all, 
beings should have human failings. Whenever Tvg his 
at the garrisons. I’ve found that most, in and abou^n the 
had a longing to learn their neighbors’ secrets.” ry, too, 

“ Yes, and, sometimes to fancy them, when theuer shall 
find ’em out ! That’s the difference atween, erhaps at 
gentleman and a white gentleman. The Siss ; but let 
would turn his head aside, if he found hintten charges, 
ingly lookin’ into another chief’s wigwr a brother, or a 
the settlements, while all pretend tto the owner if we 
most prove they’ve got betters, bjiey’re novelties to you 
14 


210 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


they talk of their consarns. I’ll be bound, Judith, you 
wouldn’t get the Sarpent, there, to confess there was an- 
other in the tribe so much greater than himself as to be- 
come the subject of his idees, and to empl’y his tongue in 
conversation about his movements, and ways, and food, 
and all the other little matters that occupy a man when 
he’s not empl’y’d in his greater duties. He who does this 
is but little better than a blackguard in the grain, and 
them that encourages him is pretty much of the same kid- 
ney, let them wear coats as fine as they may, or what dye 
they please.” 

“ But this is not another man’s wigwam ; it belongs to 
my father ; these are his things, and they are wanted in 
his service.” 

“ That’s true, gal, that’s true ; and it carries weight with 
it. Well, when all is before us, we may, indeed, best judge 
which to offer for the ransom, and which to withhold.” 

Judith was not altogether as disinterested in her feelings 
at she affected to be. She remembered that the curiosity 
of Hetty had been indulged, in connection with this chest, 
staWh^le own had been disregarded ; and she was not 
ie\ 1^0 possess an opportunity of being placed on a level 
whetli^^ her less gifted sister, in this one particular. It ap- 
best b admitted all round that the inquiry into the 

do as ^ chest ought to be renewed, Deerslayer pro- 

• „ ‘ to remove the second covering of canvas. 

iiiourT^l ® 

j j-A '' articles that lay uppermost, when the curtain was 

aduh r ^ "^’^ised on the secrets of the chest, were a pair of pis- 
hej. ^ wiously inlakl with silver. Their value would have 
froiiTth^^t towns, though as weapons, 

this c d ^ were a species of arms seldom employed ; 

enou^h^^^T^"^*^^^^’ unless it might be by some officer from 
their^ ’ who visited the colonies, as many were then wont 
^ much impressed with the superiority of the usages 
flin to fancy they were not to be laid aside on 

c ing triu^j.g America. What occurred on the discoverv 


directly to the 
great advantages 
habitual and wily 
recoil on himself, ana, 
by its excess ; but he wlm 


discovery 

pons will appear in the succeeding chapter. 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


2II 


CHAPTER XIII. 

“ An oaken, broken elbow-chair ; 

A caudle-cup without an ear ; 

A battered, shattered, ash bedstead ; 

A box of deal without a lid ; 

A pair of tongs, but out of joint ; 

A back-sword poker, without point ; 

A dish which might good meat afford once ; 

An Ovid, and an old Concordance.” — Dean Swift’s Inventory. 

No sooner did Deerslayer raise the pistols than he turned 
to the Delaware, and held them up for his admiration. 

“ Child-gun," said the Serpent, smiling, while he handled 
one of the instruments as if it had been a toy. 

“Notit, Sarpent ; not it. ’Tis made fora man, and 
would satisfy a giant if rightly used. But stop ; white 
men are remarkable for their carelessness in putting away 
fire-arms in chists and corners. Let me look if care has 
been given to these." 

As Deerslayer spoke, he took the weapon from the hand 
of his friend and opened the pan. The last was filled with 
priming, caked like a bit of cinder, by time, moisture, and 
compression. An application of the ramrod showed that 
both the pistols were charged, although Judith could testi- 
fy that they had probably lain for years in the chest. It 
is not easy to portray the surprise of the Indian at this dis- 
covery, for he was in the practice of renewing his priming 
daily, and of looking to the contents of his piece at other 
short intervals. 

“This is white neglect," said Deerslayer, shaking his 
head, “ and scarce a season goes by that some one in the 
settlements doesn’t suffer from it. It’s extr’ornary, too, 
Judith — yes, it’s downright extr’ornary that the owner shall 
fire his piece at a deer, or some other game, or perhaps at 
an inimy, and twice out of three times he’ll miss ; but let 
him catch an accident with one of these forgotten charges, 
and he makes it sartin death to a child, or a brother, or a 
fri’nd ! Well, we shall do a good turn to the owner if we 
fire these pistols for him ; and as they’re novelties to you 


212 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


and me, Sarpent, we’ll try our hand at a mark. Freshen 
that priming, and I’ll do the same with this, and then we'll 
see who is the best man with a pistol ; as for the rifle, 
that’s long been settled atween us.” 

Deerslayer laughed heartily at his own conceit, and in a 
minute or two, they were both standing on the platform, 
selecting some object in the ark for their target. Judith 
was led by curiosity to their side. 

“ Stand back, gal, stand a little back ; these we’ponsi 
have been long loaded,” said Deerslayer, “and some acci- 
dent may happen in the discharge.” 

Then yc?i/ shall not fire them ! Give them both to the 
Delaware ; or it would be better to unload them without 
firing.” 

“ That’s ag’in’ usage — and some people say ag’in man- 
hood ; though I hold to no such silly doctrine. We must 
fire ’em, Judith ; yes, we must fire ’em ; though I foresee 
that neither will have any great reason to boast of his skill.” 

Judith, in the main, was a girl of great personal spirit, 
and her habits prevented her from feeling any of the ter- 
ror that is apt to come over her sex at the report of fire- 
arms. She had discharged many a rifle, and had even been 
known to kill a deer, under circumstances that were favor- 
able to the effort. She submitted, therefore, falling a little 
back by the side of Deerslayer, giving the Indian the front 
of the platform to himself. . Chingachgook raised the wea- 
pon several times, endeavored to steady it by using both 
hands, changed his attitude, from one that was awkward to 
another still more so, and finally drew the trigger with a sort 
of desperate indifference, without having, in reality, secured 
any aim at all. The consequence was that, instead of hit- 
ting the knot, which had been selected for the mark, he 
missed the ark altogether ; the bullet skipping along the 
water like a stone that was thrown by hand. 

“ Well done, Sarpent — well done,” cried Deerslayer, 
laughing with his noiseless glee, “ you’ve hit the lake, and 
that’s an expl’ite, for some men ! I know’d it, and as much 
a> said it, here, to Judith ; for your short we’pons don’t be- 
long to red-skin gifts. You’ve hit the lake, and that’s bet- 
ter than only hitting the air ! Now, stand back, and let us 
see what white gifts can do with a white we’pon. A pistol 
isn’t a trifle ; but color is color.” 


THE DRERSLAVER, 


213 


The aim of Deerslayer was both quick and steady, and 
the report followed almost as soon as the weapon rose. 
Still the pistol hung fire, as it is termed, and fragments of 
it flew in a dozen directions, some falling on the roof of the 
castle, others in the ark, and one in the water. Judith 
screamed, and when the two men turned anxiously toward 
the girl, she was as pale as death, trembling in every limb. 

“ She’s wounded — yes, the poor gal’s wounded, Sarpent, 
though one couldn’t foresee it, standing where she did. 
We’ll lead her into a seat, and we must do the best for her 
that our knowledge and skill can afford.” 

Judith allowed herself to be supported to a seat, swal- 
lowed a mouthful of water that the Delaware offered her 
in a gourd, and after a violent fit of trembling, that seemed 
ready to shake her fine frame to dissolution, she burst into 
tears. 

“The pain must be borne, poor Judith — yes, it must be 
borne,” said Deerslayer, soothingly ; “ though I am far 
from wishing you not to weep ; for weeping often lightens 
galish feelin’s. Where can she be hurt, Sarpent ? I see 
no signs of blood, nor any rent of skin or garments.” 

“ I am uninjured, Deerslayer,” stammered the girl through 
her tears. “ It’s fright — nothing more, I do assure you ; 
and God be praised ! no one, I fear, has been harmed by 
the accident.” 

“ This is extr’ornary ! ” exclaimed the unsuspecting and 
simple-minded hunter. “I thought, Juditli, you’d been 
above settlement weaknesses, and that you was a gal not 
to be frightened by the sound of a bursting we’pon. No — 
I didn’t think you so skeary ! Hetty might well ’nave been 
startled ; but you’ve too much judgment and reason to be 
frightened when the danger’s all over. They’re pleasant 
to the eye, chief, and changeful, but very unsartin in their 
feelin’s.” 

Shame kept Judith silent. There had been no acting in 
her agitation, but all had fairly proceeded from sudden 
and uncontrollable alarm — an alarm that she found almost 
as inexplicable to herself, as it proved to be to her com- 
panions. Wiping away the traces of tears, however, she 
smiled again, and was soon able to join in the laugh at her 
own folly. 

“And you, Deerslayer,” she at length succeeded in say- 


214 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


ing, “ are you, indeed, altogether unhurt ? It seems almost 
miraculous that a pistol should have burst in your hand, 
and you escape without the loss of a limb, if not of life ! ” 

“ Such wonders ar’n’t oncommon, at all, among worn- 
out arms. The first rifle they gave me played the same 
trick, and yet I lived through it, though not as onharmless 
as I’ve got out of this affair. Thomas Hutter is master of 
one pistol less than he was this morning ; but, as it hap- 
pened in trying to sarve him, there’s no ground of com- 
plaint. Now, draw near, and let us look further into the 
inside of the chist.” 

Judith, by this time, had so far got the better of her agi- 
tation as to resume her seat, and the examination went on. 
The next article that offered was enveloped in cloth, and 
on opening it, it proved to be one of the mathematical in- 
struments that were then in use among seamen, possessing 
the usual ornaments and fastenings in brass. Deerslayer 
and Chingachgook expressed their admiration and surprise 
at the appearance of the unknown instrument, which was 
bright and glittering, having apparently been well cared 
for. 

“ This goes beyond the surveyors, Judith,” Deerslayer 
exclaimed, after turning the instrument several times in 
his hands. “ I’ve seen all their tools often, and wicked 
and heartless enough are they, for they never come into 
the forest but to lead the way to waste and destruction ; 
but none of them have as designing a look as this ! I fear 
me, after all, that Thomas Hutter has journeyed into the 
wilderness Avith no fair intentions toward its happiness. 
Did you ever see any of the carvings of a surveyor about 
your father, gal ? ” 

“ He is no surveyor, Deerslayer, nor does he know the 
use of that instrument, though he seems to own it. Do 
you suppose that Thomas Hutter ever wore that coat ? It 
is as much too large for him as this instrument is beyond 
his learning.” 

“That’s it — that must be it, Sarpent ; and the old felloAv, 
by some unknown means, has fallen heir to another man’s 
goods ! They say he has been a mariner, and no doubt 
this chist and all it holds — Ha ! what have we here ? This 
far outdoes the brass and black wood of the tool ? ” 

Deerslayer had opened a small bag, from which he 


THE DEERSLAYRR. 


215 


was taking, one by one, the pieces of a set of chessmen. 
They were of ivory, much larger than common, and ex- 
quisitely wrought. Each piece represented the character 
or thing after which it is named ; the knights being 
mounted, the castles stood on elephants, and even the pawns 
possessed the heads and busts of men. The set was not 
complete, and a few fractures betrayed bad usage ; but all 
that was left had been carefully put away and preserved. 
Even Judith expressed wonder as these novel objects were 
placed before her eyes, and Chingachgook fairly forgot 
his Indian dignity in admiration and delight. The latter 
took up each piece and examined it with never-tiring sat- 
isfaction, pointing out to the girl the more ingenious and 
striking portions of the workmanship. But the elephants 
gave him the greatest pleasure. The “ Hughs ” that he 
uttered as he passed his fingers over their trunks and ears 
and tails were very distinct ; nor did he fail to note the 
pawns, which were armed as archers. This exhibition 
lasted several minutes, during which time Judith and the 
Indian had all the rapture to themselves. Deerslayer sat 
silent, thoughtful, and even gloomy, though his eyes fol- 
lowed each movement of the two principal actors, noting 
every new peculiarity about the pieces as they were held 
up to view. Not an exclamation of pleasure nor a word 
of condemnation passed his lips. At length his compan- 
ions observed his silence, and then, for the first time since 
the chessmen had been discovered, did he speak. 

“Judith,” he asked /Earnestly, but with a concern that 
amounted almost to tenderness of manner, “ did your 
parents ever talk to you of religion ? ” 

The girl colored, and the flashes of crimson that passed 
over her beautiful countenance were like the wayward 
tints of a Neapolitan sky in November. Deerslayer had 
given her so strong a taste for truth, however, that she did 
not waver in her answer, replying simply and with sincerity: 

“My mother did, often,” she said; “my father, never. 
I thought it made my mother sorrowful to speak o^ our 
prayers and duties, but my father had never opened hi^ 
mouth on such matters before or since her death.” 

“ That I can believe — that I can believe. He has no 
God — no such God as it becomes a man of white skin to 
worship, or even a red-skin. Them things are idols ! ” 


2I6 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


Judith started, and for a moment she seemed seriously 
hurt. Then she reflected, and in the end she laughed. 

“ And you think, Deerslayer, that these ivory toys are 
my father’s gods t I have heard of idols, and know what 
they are.” 

“Them are idols ! ” repeated the other, positively. “ Why 
should your father keep ’em if he doesn’t worship ’em ? ” 

“Would he keep his gods in a bag, and locked up in a 
chest ? No, no, Deerslayer ; my poor father carries his 
god with him wherever he goes, and that is in his own 
cravings. These things may really be idols — I think they 
are myself, from what I have heard and read of idolatry, 
but they have come from some distant country, like all 
other articles, and have fallen into Thomas Rutter’s hands 
when he was a sailor.” 

“ I’m glad of it — I am downright glad to hear it, Judith, 
for Ido not think I could have mustered the resolution to 
strive to help a white idolater out of his difficulties ! The 
old man is of my color and nation, and I wish to sarve 
him ; but, as one who denied all his gifts in the way of 
religion, it would have come hard to do so. That animal 
seems to give you great satisfaction, Sarpent, though it’s 
an idolatrous head at the best.” 

“It is an elephant,” interrupted Judith, “I’ve often 
seen pictures of such animals at the garrison ; and mother 
had a book in which there was a printed account of the 
creature. Father burnt that, with all the other books, for 
he said mother loved reading too well. This was not 
long before mother died, and I’ve sometimes thought that 
the loss hastened her end.” 

This was said equally without levity and without any 
deep feeling. It was said without levity, for Judith was 
saddened by her recollections, and yet she had been too 
much accustomed to live for self, and for the indulgence 
of her own vanities, to feel her mother’s wrongs very 
heavily. It required extraordinary circumstances to 
awaken a proper sense of her situation, and to stimulate 
the better feelings of this beautiful but misguided girl ; 
and these circumstances had not yet occurred in her brief 
existence. 

“ Elephant, or no elephant, ’tis an idol,” returned the 
liunter, “and not fit to remain in Christian keeping.” 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


217 


“ Good for Iroquois ! ” said Chingachgook, parting with 
one of the castles with reluctance, as his friend took it 
from him to replace it in the bag. “ Elephon buy whole 
tribe — buy Delaware, almost ! ” 

“ Ay, that it would, as any one who comprehends red- 
skin natur’ must know',” answered Deerslayer ; “but the 
man that passes false money, Sarpent, is as bad as he wdio 
makes it. Did you eyer know a just Injin that wouldn’t 
scorn to sell a coon-skin for the true martin, or to pass 
off a mink for a beaver ? I know that a few of these 
idols, perhaps one of them elephants, would go far tow'ard 
buying Thomas Hutter’s liberty, but it goes ag’in my 
conscience to pass such counterfeit money. Perhaps no 
Injin tribe, hereaway, is downright idolaters, but tliere’s 
some that come so near it, that w'hite gifts ought to be 
particular about encouraging them in their mistake.” 

“ If idolatry is a^//"/, Deerslayer, and^;^///^ are W'hat you 
seem to think them, idolatry in such people can hardly be 
a sin,” said Judith, wdth more smartness than discrimina- 
tion. 

“God grants no such gifts to any of his creatur’s, 
Judith,” returned the hunter, seriously. “/A: must be 
adored, under some name or other, and not creatur’s of 
brass or ivory. It matters not w'hether the Father of all 
is called God or Manitou, Diety or Great Spirit, lie is 
none the less our common Maker and Master ; nor does 
it count for much whether the souls of the just go to par- 
adise or happy hunting-grounds, since he may send each 
his owm w^ay, as suits his owm pleasure and wisdom ; but 
it curdles my blood wdien I find human mortals so bound 
up in darkness and consait, as to fashion the ’arth, or wood, 
or bones — things made by their owm hands into motion- 
less, senseless effigies, and then fall down before them, and 
wmrship ’em as a Diety ! ” 

“After all, Deerslayer, these pieces of ivory may not be 
idols at all. I remember, now, to have seen one of the 
officers at the garrison, wdth a set of fox and geese made 
in some such a design as these ; and here is something 
hard, wrapped in cloth, that may belong to your idols.” 

Deerslayer took tlie bundle the girl gave him, and, un- 
rolling it, he found the board withint Like the pieces, it 
was large, rich, and inlaid with ebony and ivory. Putting 


2i8 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


the whole in conjunction, the hunter, though not without 
many misgivings, slowly came over to Judith’s opinion, 
and finally admitted that the fancied idols must be merely 
the curiously carved men of some unknown game. Judith 
had the tact to use her victory with great moderation ; nor 
did she once, even in the most indirect manner, allude ta 
the ludicrous mistake of her companion. 

This discovery of the uses of the extraordinary-looking 
little images settled the alfair of the proposed ransom. It 
was agreed generally — and all understood the weaknesses 
and tastes of Indians — that nothing could be more likely 
to tempt the cupidity of the Iroquois, than the elephants, 
in particular. Luckily, the whole of the castles were among 
the pieces, and these four tower-bearing animals it was 
finally determined should be the ransom offered. The re- 
mainder of the men, and, indeed, all the rest of the articles 
in the chest, were to be kept out of view, and to be resorted 
to only as a last appeal. As soon as these preliminaries 
were settled, everything but those intended for the bribe 
was carefully replaced in the chest, and all the covers were 
“tucked in” as they had been found ; and it was quite 
possible, could Hutter have been put in possession of the 
castle again, that he might have passed the remainder of his 
days in it, without even suspecting the invasion that had 
been made on the privacy of the chest. The rent pistol 
would have been the most likely to reveal the secret ; but 
this was placed by the side of its fellow, and all were 
pressed down as before — some half a dozen packages in 
the bottom of the chest not having been opened at all. 
When this was done, the lid was lowered, the padlocks re- 
placed, and the key turned. The latter was then replaced 
in the pocket from which it had been taken. 

More than an hour was consumed in settling the course 
proper to be pursued, and in returning everything to its 
place. The pauses to converse were frequent ; and Judith, 
who experienced a lively pleasure in the open, undisguised 
admiration with which Deerslayer’s honest eye gazed at 
her handsome face, found the means to prolong the inter- 
view with a dexterity that seems to be innate in female 
coquetry. Deerslayer, indeed, appeared to be the first 
who was conscious dk the time that had been thus wasted, 
and to call the attention of his companions to the necessity 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


219 


of doing something toward putting the plan of ransoming 
into execution. Chingachgook had remained in Hutter’s 
bedroom, where the elephants were laid, to feast his eyes 
with the images of animals so wonderful and so novel. 
Perhaps an instinct told him that his presence would not 
be as acceptable to his companions as this holding himself 
aloof ; for Judith had not much reser^^e in the manifesta- 
tions of her preferences, and the Delaware had not got so 
far as one betrothed without acquiring some knowledge of 
the symptoms of the master-passion. 

“Well, Judith,” said Deerslayer, rising, after the inter- 
view had lasted much longer than even he himself sus- 
pected, “ ’tis pleasant convarsing with you, and settling all 
these matters, but duty calls us another way. All this 
time Flurry and your father, not to say Hetty ” 

The word was cut short in the speaker’s mouth, for, at 
that critical moment, a light step was heard on the plat- 
form or court-yard, a human figure darkened the doorway, 
and the person last mentioned stood before him. The low 
exclamation that escaped Deerslayer, and the slight scream 
of Judith, were hardly uttered when an Indian youth, be- 
tween the ages of fifteen and seventeen, stood beside her. 
These two entrances had been made with moccasined feet, 
and consequently almost without noise ; but unexpected 
and stealthy as they were, they had not the effect to disturb 
Deerslayer’s self-possession. Flis first measure was to 
speak rapidly in Delaware to his friend, cautioning him to 
keep out of sight, while he stood on his guard ; the second 
was to step to the door to ascertain the extent of the dan- 
ger. No one else, however, had come ; and a simple con- 
trivance in the shape of a raft, that lay floating at the side 
of the ark, at once explained the means that had been used 
in bringing Fletty off. Two dead and dry, and consequently 
buoyant, logs of pine were bound together with pins and 
withes, and a little platform of riven chestnut had been 
rudely placed on their surfaces. Here Hetty had been 
seated on a billet of wood, while the young Iroquois had 
rowed the primitive and slow-moving but perfectly safe 
craft from the shore. As soon as Deerslayer had taken a 
close i,unTy of this raft, nnd satisfied himself nothing else 
was'nenr, he shook his head, andmutAu-ed in his soliloquiz- 
ing way ; 


4 


220 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


“This comes of prying into another man’s chist ! Had 
we been watchful and keen-eyed, such a surprise could 
never have happened ; and getting this much from a boy, 
teaches us what we may expect when the old warriors set 
themselves fairly about their sarcu inventions. It opens 
the way, howsever, to a treaty for the ransom, and I will 
hear what Hetty has to say.” 

Judith, as soon as her surprise and alarm had a little 
abated, discovered a proper share of affectionate joy at the 
return of her sister. She folded her to her bosom and 
kissed her, as had been her wont in the days of their child- 
hood and innocence. Hetty herself was less affected, for to 
her there was no surprise, and her nerves- were sustained 
by the purity and holiness of her purpose. At her sister’s 
request she took a seat, and entered into an account of 
her adventures since they had parted. Her tale commenced 
just as Deerslayer returned, and he also became an atten- 
tive listener, while the )"oung Iroquois stood near the door, 
seemingly as indifferent to what was passing as one of its 
posts. 

The narrative of the girl was sufficiently clear, until she 
reached the time where we left her in the camp, after the 
interview with the chiefs, and at the moment when Hist 
quitted her in the abrupt manner already stated. The se- 
quel of the story may be told in her own language. 

‘‘When I read the texts to the chiefs, Judith, you could 
not have seen that they made any changes on their minds,” 
she said, “ but if seed is planted, it will grow. God planted 
the seeds of all the trees ” 

“Ay, that did he — tliat did he,” muttered Deerslayer; 
“ and a goodly harvest has followed.” 

“God planted the seeds of all the trees,” continued 
Hetty, after a moment’s pause, “and you see to what a 
height and shade they have grown ! So it is with the 
Bible. You may read a verse 'this year and forget it, and 
it will come back to you a year hence, wlien you least ex- 
pect to remember it.” 

“ And did you find anything of this among the savages, 
poor Hetty? ” 

“Yes, Judith, and sooner and more fully than I had 
even hoped. I did not stay long with father and Itlirry, 
but went to get my breakfast with Hist. As soon as we 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


221 


had done, the chiefs came to us, and then we found the 
fruits of the seed that had been planted. They said what 
I had read from the good book was right — it must be right 
— it sounded right ; like a sweet bird singing in their ears ; 
and they told me to come back and say as much to the 
great warrior who had slain one of their braves ; and to 
tell it to you, and to say how happy they should be to 
come to church here, in the castle, or to come out in the 
sun, and hear me read more of the sacred volume — and 
to tell you that they wish you would lend them some ca- 
noes, that they can bring father and Hurry, and their wo- 
men, to the castle, that we might all sit on the platform 
there, and listen to the singing of the pale-face Manitou. 
There, Judith, did you ever know anything that so plainly 
shows the power of the Bible as that ? ” 

“ If it were true ’twould be a miracle indeed, Hetty. 
But all this is no more than Indian cunning and Indian 
treachery, striving to get the better of us by management, 
when they find it is not to be done by force.” 

“ Do you doubt the Bible, sister, that you judge the 
savages so harshly ? ” 

“I do not doubt the Bible, poor Hetty, but I much 
doubt an Indian and an Iroquois. What do you say to 
this visit, Deerslayer ? ” 

“ First let me talk a little with Hetty,” returned the 
party appealed to. “Was this raft made a’ter you had 
got your breakfast, gal ; and did you walk from the camp 
to the shore opposite to us here ?” 

“ Oh ! no, Deerslayer. The raft was ready made, and 
in the water — could that have been by a miracle, Judith ? ” 
“Yes — yes — an Indian miracle,” rejoined the hunter. 
“ They’re expart enough in them sort of miracles. And 
you found the raft ready made to your hands, and in the 
water, and in waiting-like for its cargo ? ” 

“ It was all as you say. The raft was near the camp, 
and the Indians put me on it, and had ropes of bark, and 
they dragged me to the place opposite to the castle, and 
then they told that young man to row me off here.” 

“And the woods are full of the vagabonds, waiting to 
know what is to be the upshot-of the miracle. We com- 
prehend this affair, now, Judith — but I’ll first get rid of 
this young Canadian blood-sucker, and then we’ll settle 


222 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


our own course. Do you and Hetty leave us together, 
first bringing me the elephants, which the Sarpent is ad- 
miring ; for ’twill never do to let this loping deer be alone 
for a minute, or he’ll borrow a canoe without asking.” 

Judith did as desired, first bringing the pieces, and re- 
tiring with her sister into their own room. Deerslayer 
had acquired some knowledge of most of the Indian dia- 
lects of that region, and he knew enough of thedroquois 
to hold a dialogue in the language. Beckoning to the lad, 
therefore, he caused him to take a seat on the chest, when 
he placed two of the castles suddenly before him. Up to 
this moment, this youthful savage had not expressed a 
single intelligible emotion or fancy. There were many 
things in and about the place that were novelties to him, 
but he had maintained his self-command with philosoph- 
ical composure. It is true, Deerslayer had detected his 
dark eye scanning the defences and the arms, but the 
scrutiny had been made with such an air of innocence, in 
such a gaping, indolent, boyish manner, that no one but 
a man who had himself been taught in a similar school 
would have suspected his object. The instant, however, 
the eyes of the savage fell upon the Wrought ivory, and 
the images of the wonderful, unknown beasts, surprise 
and admiration got the mastery of him. The manner in 
which the natives of the South Sea Islands first beheld 
the toys of civilized life has been often described ; but 
the reader is not to confound it with the manner of an 
American Indian under similar circumstances. In this 
particular case the young Iroquois, or Huron, permitted 
an exclamation of rapture to escape him, and then he 
checked himself, like one who had been guilty of an in- 
decorum. After this, his eye ceased to wander, but be- 
came riveted on the elephants, one of Avhich, after a short 
hesitation, he even presumed to handle. Deerslayer did 
not interrupt him for quite ten minutes ; knowing that 
the lad was taking such note of the curiosities as would 
enable him to give the most minute and accurate descrip- 
tion of their appearance to his seniors on his return. 
When he thought sufficient time had been allowed to pro- 
duce the desired effect, the hunter laid a finger on the 
naked knee of the youth, and drew his attention to him- 
self. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


223 


“ Listen,” he said ; “ I want to talk with my young friend 
from the Canadas. Let him forget that wonder for a min- 
ute.” 

“Where ’totherpale brother ? ” demanded the boy, look- 
ing up, and letting the idea that had been most prominent 
in his mind, previously to the introduction of the chessmen, 
escape him involuntarily. 

“ He bleeps— or if he isn’t fairly asleep, he is in the room 
where the men do sleep,” returned Deerslayer. “How 
did my young friend know there was another ? ” 

“ See him from the shore. Iroquois have got long eyes 
— see beyond the clouds — see the bottom of the great 
spring ! ” 

“Well, the Iroquois are welcome. Two pale-faces are 
prisoners in the camp of your fathers, boy.” 

The lad nodded, treating the circumstance with great 
apparent indifference, though a moment after he laughed, 
as if exulting in the superior address of his own tribe. 

“ Can you tell me, boy, what your chiefs intend to do 
with these captyves, or haven’t they made up their minds ? ” 

The lad looked a moment at the hunter with a little sur- 
prise ; then he coolly put the end of his forefinger on his 
own head, just above the left ear, and passed it round his 
crown, with an accuracy and readiness that showed how 
well he had been drilled in the peculiar art of his race. 

“ When ? ” demanded Deerslayer, whose gorge rose at 
this cool demonstration of indifference to human life. 
“ And why not take them to your wigwams ? ” 

“ Road too long and full of pale-faces. Wigwam full, 
and scalps sell high. Small scalp, much gold.” 

‘^Well, that explains it — yes, that does explain it. 
There’s no need of being any plainer. Now, you know, 
lad, that the oldest of your prisoners is the father of these 
two young women ; and the other is the suitor of one of 
them. The gals nat’rally wish to save the scalps of such 
fri’nds, and they will give them two ivory creatur’s as ran- 
som ; one for each scalp. Go back and tell this to your 
chiefs, and bring me the answer before the sun sets.” 

The boy entered zealously into this project, and with a 
sincerity that left no doubt of his executing his commission 
with intelligence and promptitude. For a moment he for- 
got his love of honor, and all his clannish hostility to the 


224 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


British and their Indians, in his wish to have such a treas- 
ure in his tribe, and Deerslayer was satisfied with the im- 
pression he had made. It is true, the lad proposed to carry 
one of the elephants with him, as a specimen of the other, 
but to this his brother negotiator was too sagacious to con- 
sent ; well knowing that it might never reach its destina- 
tion if confided to such hands. This little difficidty was 
soon arranged, and the boy prepared to depart. As he 
stood on the platform ready to step aboard of the raft, he 
hesitated, and turned short with a proposal to borrow a 
canoe, as the means most likely to shorten the negotiation. 
Deerslayer quietly refused the request, and, after lingering 
a little longer, the boy rowed slowly away from the castle, 
taking the direction of a thicket on the shore, that lay less 
than half a mile distant. Deerslayer seated himself on a 
stool, and watched the progress of the ambassador ; some- 
times closely scanning the whole line of the shore, as far 
as eye could reach, and then, placing an elbow on a knee, 
he remained a longtime with his chin resting on the hand. 

During the interview between Deerslayer and the lad, a 
different scene took place in the adjoining room. Hetty 
had inquired for the Delaware, and, being told why and 
where he remained concealed, she joined him. The recep- 
tion which Chingachgook gave liis visitor was respectful 
and gentle. He understood her character ; and, no doubt, 
his disposition to be kind to such a being was increased 
by the hope of learning some tidings of his betrothed. As 
soon as the girl entered she took a seat, and invited the 
Indian to place himself near her ; then she continued si- 
lent, as if she thought it decorous for him to question her 
before she consented to speak on the subject she had on 
her mind. But, as Chingachgook did not understand this 
feeling, he remained respectfully attentive to anything she 
might be pleased to tell him. 

“ You are Chingachgook — the Great Serpent of the 
Delawares, ar’n’t you ? ” the girl at length commenced, in 
her own simple way, losing her s^lf-command in the desire 
to proceed, but anxious first to make sure of the individ- 
ual. 

‘‘ Chingachgook,” returned the Delaware, with grave 
dignity. “That say Great Sarpent in Deerslayer tongue.” 

“Well, that is my tongue. Deerslayer, and father, and 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


225 


Juditli, and I, and poor Hurry Harry — do you know Henry 
March, Great Serpent ? I know you don’t, however, or 
he would have spoken oi you, too.” 

“ Did any tongue name Chingachgook, Drooping- 
Lily?” for so the chief had named poor Hetty. “Was 
his name sung by a little bird among the Iroquois ? ” 

Hetty did not answer at first ; but with that indescrib- 
able feeling that awakens sympathy and intelligence 
among the youthful and unpractised of her sex, she hung 
her head, and the blood suffused her cheek ere she found 
her tongue. It would have exceeded her stock of intelli- 
gence to explain this embarrassment ; but, though poor 
Hetty could not reason on every emergency, she could 
always feel. The color slowly receded from her cheek, 
and the girl looked up archly at the Indian, smiling with 
the innocence of a cliild, mingled with the interest of a 
woman. 

“ My sister, the Drooping-Lily, hear such bird ! ” Chin- 
gachgook added, and this with a gentleness of tone and 
manner that would have astonished those who sometimes 
heard the discordant cries that often came from the same 
throat ; these transitions from the harsh and guttural to the 
soft and melodious not being infrequent in ordinary Indian 
dialogues. “ My sister’s ears were open — has she lost her 
tongue ? ” 

“You are Chingachgook — you fnust be : for there is no 
other red man here, and she thought Chingachgook would 
come.” 

“ Chin-gach-gook,” pronouncing the name slowly, and 
dwelling on each syllable: “Great Sarpent, Yengeese * 
tongue.” 

* It is singular there should be any question concerning the origin of the 
well-known sobriquet of “Yankees.” Nearly all the old writers who speak 
of the Indians first known to the colonists make them pronounce the word 
“English” as “Yengeese.” Even at this day it is a provincialism of 
New England to say “ uC^glish ” instead of “/;?glish,” and there is a close 
conformity of sound between “j5'«glish” and “Yengeese,” more espe- 
cially if the latter word, as was probably the case, be pronounced short. 
The transition from “ Yengeese,” thus pronounced, to “Yankees,” is quite 
easy. If the former is pronounced “ Yangis,” it is almost identical with 
“Yankees,” and Indian words have seldom been spelt as they are pro- 
nounced. Thus the scene of this tale is spelt “ OtJ^’go,” and is properly 
pronounced “ Ou^zgo.” The liquids of the Indians would easily convert 
“En” into “Yen.” 

15 


226 


rilK DEERSLA YER. 


Chin-gach-gook,” repeated Hetty, in the same deliber- 
ate manner. “ Yes, so Hist called it, and you 7nust be the 
chief.” 

“ Wah-ta !-Wah,” added the Delaware. 

“Wah-ta-!-Wah, or Hist-oh !-Hist. I think Hist prettier 
than Wall, and so I call her Hist.” 

“Wah ! very sweet in Delaware ears ! ” 

“ You make it sound differently from me. But never 
mind ; I did hear the bird you speak of sing, Great Ser- 
pent.” 

“ Will my sister say words of song ? What she sing 
most — how she look — often she laugh 'i ” 

“ She sang Chin-gach-gook oftener than anything else ; 
and she -laughed heartily when I told how the Iroquois 
waded into the water after us, and couldn’t catch us. I 
hope these logs haven’t ears. Serpent ! ” 

“No fear logs; fear sister next room. No fear Iro- 
quois ; Deerslayer stuff his eyes and ears with strange 
beast.” 

“ I understand you. Serpent, and I understood Hist. 
Sometimes I think I’m not half as feeble-minded as they 
say I am. Now, do you look up at the roof, and I’ll tell 
you all. But you frighten me, you look so eager when I 
speak of Hist.” 

The Indian controlled his looks, and affected to com- 
ply with the simple request of the girl.' 

“ Hist told me to say, in a very low voice, that you 
mustn’t, trust the Iroquois in anything. They are more 
artful than any Indians she knows. Thdn she says that 
there is a large bright star that comes over the hill about 
an hour after dark ” — (Hist had pointed out the plane*- 
Jupiter, without knowing it) — “and just as that star 
comes in sight, she will be on the point where I landed 
last night, and that you must come for her, in a canoe.” 

“ Good — Chingachgook understand well enough, now ; 
but he understand better if my sister sing to him ag’in.” 

Hetty repeated her words, more fully explaining what 
star was meant, and mentioning the part of the point 
where he was to venture ashore. She now proceeded in 
her own unsophisticated -way to relate hen intercourse 
with the Indian maid, and to repeat several of her expres- 
sions and opinions that gave great delight to the heart Of 


THE DEEKSLA YEK. 


227 


her betrothed. She particularly renewed her injunctions 
to be on their guard against treachery ; a warning that 
was scarcely needed, however, as addressed to men as 
wary as tliose to whom it was sent. She also explained, 
with sufficient clearness — for on all such subjects the 
mind of the girl seldom failed her — the present state 
of the enemy and the movements they had made since 
morning. Hist had been on the raft with her until it 
quitted the shore ; and was now somewhere in the woods, 
opposite to the castle, and did not intend to return to the 
camp until night approached, when she hoped to be able 
to slip away from her companions, as they followed the 
shore on their way home, and conceal herself on the 
point. No one appeared to suspect the presence of Chin- 
gachgook, though it was necessarily known that an Indian 
had entered the ark the previous night, and it was sus- 
pected that he had since appeared in and about the castle 
in the dress of a pale face. Still some little doubt existed 
on the latter point, for, as this was the season when white 
men might be expected to arrive, there was some fear that 
tlie garrison of the castle was increasing by these or- 
dinary means. All this had Hist communicated to Hetty 
while the Indians were dragging them along shore ; the 
distance, which exceeded six miles, affording abundance 
of time. 

“ Hist don’t know, herself, whether they suspect her or 
not, or whether they suspect you^ but she hopes neither is 
the case. And now, ^Serpent, since I have told you so 
much from your betrothed,” continued Hetty, uncon- 
sciously taking one of the Indian’s hands, and playing wdth 
^.the fingers, as a child is often seen playing with those of 
a parent, “you must let me tell you something from 
myself. When you marry Hist, you must be kind to her, 
and smile on her, as you do now on me ; and hot look 
cross, as some of the chiefs do at their squaws. Will you 
promise this ? ” • 

“Always good to Wah ! — too tender 'to twist hard, else 
she break.” 

“Yes, and smile, too ; you don’t know how much a girl 
craves smiles from them she loves. Father scarce smiled 
(3n me once, while I was with him — and. Hurry — yes — 
Hurry talked loud, and laughed; but I don’t tliink he 


228 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


smiled once either. You know the difference between a 
smile and a laugh ? ” 

“ Laugh, best. Hear Wah ! laugh, think bird sing.” 

‘‘ I know that ; her laugh is pleasant, but yo^i must 
smile. And then. Serpent, you mustn’t make her carry 
burdens and hoe corn, as so many Indians do ; but treat 
her more as the pale-face treat their wives.” 

“ Wah-ta !-VVah no pale-face — got red skin, red heart, 
red feelin’s. All red ; no pale-face. Must carry papoose.” 

“ Every woman is willing to carry her child,” said 
Hetty, smiling, “ and there is no harm in that. But you 
must love Hist, and be gentle and good to her, for she is 
gentle and good herself.” 

Chingachgook gravely bowed, and then he seemed to 
think this part of the subject might be dismissed. Before 
there was time for Hetty to resume her communications, 
the A^'oice of Deerslayer was heard calling on his friend in 
the outer room. At this summons the Serpent arose to 
obey, and Hetty joined her sister. 


CHAPTER XIV. 

“ ‘A stranger animal,’ cries one, 

‘ Sure never lived beneath the sun ; 

A lizard’s body, lean and long, 

A fish’s head, a serpent’s tongue, 

Its foot, with triple claw disjoined ; 

And what a length of tail behind ! ’ ” 

The first act of the Delaware, on rejoining his friend, 
was to proceed gravely to disencumber himself of his civ- 
ilized attire, and to stand forth an Indian warrior again. 
The protest of Deerslayer was met by his communicating 
the fact that the presence of an Indian in the hut was 
known to the Iroquois, and thfit his maintaining the dis- 
guise would be more likely to direct suspicions to his real 
object, than if he came out openly as a member of a 
hostile tribe. When the latter understood the truth, and 
was told that he had been deceived in supposing the chief 
had succeeded in entering the ark undiscovered, he cheer- 
fully consented to the change, since further attempt at 



— Merrick. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


229 


concealment was useless. A gentler feeling than the one 
avowed, however, lay at the bottom of the Indian’s desire 
to appear as a son of the forest. He had been told that 
Hist was on the opposite shore ; and Nature so far tri- 
umphed over all distinctions of habit, and tribes, and people, 
as to reduce the young, savage warrior to the level of a 
feeling which would have been found in the most refined 
inhabitant of a town, under similar circumstances. There 
was a mild satisfaction in believing that she he loved 
could see him ; and as he walked out on the platform in 
his scanty native attire, an Apollo of the wilderness, a 
hundred of the tender fancies that fleet through lovers’ 
brains beset his imagination and softened his heart. 

All this was lost on Deerslayer, who was no great adept 
in the mysteries of Cupid, but whose mind was far more 
occupied with the concerns that forced themselves on his 
attention, than with any of the truant fancies of love. 
He soon recalled his companion, therefore, to a sense of 
their actual condition by summoning him to a sort of 
council of war, in which they were to settle their future 
course. In the dialogue that followed, the parties mutu- 
ally made each other acquainted with what had passed in 
their several interviews. Chingachgook was told the his- 
tory of the treaty about the ransom ; and Deerslayer heard 
the whole of Hetty’s communications. The latter listened 
with generous interest to his friend’s hopes, and promised 
cheerfully all the assistance he could lend. 

“ ’Tis our main ar’n’d, Sarpent, as you know ; this bat- 
tling for the castle and old Flutter’s darters, coming in as 
a sort of accident. Yes — yes — I’ll be actyve in helping 
little Hist, who’s not only one of the best and handsomest 
maidens of the tribe, but the very best and handsomest. 
I’ve always encouraged you, chief, in that liking ; and it’s 
proper, too, that a great and ancient race like your’n 
shouldn’t come to an end. If a woman of red skin and red 
gifts could get to be near enough to me to wish her for a 
wife, I’d s’arch for just such another, but that can never be ; 
no, that can never be. I’m glad Hetty has met with Hist, 
however, for though the first is a little short in wit and 
understanding, the last has enough for both. Yes, Sar- 
pent,” laughing heartily, “ put ’em together, and two smart- 
er gals isn’t to be found in all York colony.” 


270 


TJIE DEE A’ SLA YEA'. 


“ I will go to the Iroquois camp,” returned the Dela- 
ware, gravely. “No one knows Chingachgook but Wah !, 
and a treaty for lives and ^alps should be made by a 
chief ! Give me the strange beasts, and let me take a canoe.” 

Deerslayer dropped his head, and played with the end 
of a fish-pole in the water, as he sat dangling his legs over 
the edge of the platform, like a man w^howas lost in thought 
by the sudden occurrence of a novel idea. Instead of di- 
rectly answering the proposal of his friend^ lie begah to 
soliloquize ; a circumstance, however, that in no manner 
rendered his words more true, as he was remarkable for 
saying what he thought, whether the remarks were ad- 
dressed to himself or to any one else. 

“Yes — yes,” he said, “ this must be what they call love ! 
I’ve heard say that it sometimes upsets reason altogether, 
leaving a young man as helpless, as to calculation and 
caution, as a brute beast. To think that the Sarpent should 
be so lost to reason, and cunning, and wisdom ! We must, 
sartainly, manage to get Hist off, and have ’em married as 
soon as we get back to the tribe, or this war will be of no 
more use to the chief than a hunt a little oncommon and 
extr’ornary. Yes — yes — he’ll never be the man he was till 
this matter is off his mind and he comes to his senses, like 
all the rest of mankind. Sarpent, you can’t be in airnest, 
and therefore I shall say but little to your offer. But 
you’re a chief, and will soon be sent out on the war-path 
at the head of parties, and I’ll just ask if you’d think of 
putting your forces into the inimy’s hands afore the battle 
is fou’t ? ” 

“ Wah ! ” ejaculated the Indian. 

“Ay — Wah! — I know well enough it’s Wah ! and alto- 
gether Wah ! Ra’aly, Sarpent, I’m conserned and morti- 
fied about you ! I never heard so weak an idea come from 
a chief, and he, too, one that’s already got a name for be- 
ing wise, young and inexper’enced as he is. Canoe you 
sha’n’t have, so long as the v’ice of fri’ndship and warning 
can count for anything.” 

“ My pale-face friend is right. A cloud came over the 
face of Chingachgook, and weakness got into his mind, 
while his eyes were dim. My brother has a good memory 
for good deeds, and a weak memory for bad. He will 
forget.” 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


23T 

“Yes, that’s easy enough. Say no more about it, chief ; 
but if another of them clouds blow near you do your en- 
divor to get out of its way. Clouds are bad enough in 
the weather ; but wlien tliey come to the reason it gets 
to be serious. Now sit down by me here, and let us cal- 
culate our movements a little, for we shall soon either have 
a truce and a peace, or we shall come to an actyve and 
bloody war. You see the vagabonds can make logs sarve 
their turn, as well as the best raftsmen on the rivers ; and 
it would be no great expl’ite for them to invade us in a 
body. I’ve been thinking of the wisdom of putting all 
old Tom’s stores into the ark, of barring and locking up 
the castle, and of taking to the ark altogether. That is 
movable, and, by keeping the sail up, and shifting places, 
we might worry through a great many nights, without them 
Canada wolves finding a way into our sheepfold.” 

Chingachgook listened to this man with approbation. 
Did the negotiation fail there was now little hope that the 
night would pass without an assault ; and the enemy had 
sagacity enough to understand, that, in carrying the castle, 
they would probably become masters of all it contained, 
the offered ransom included, and still retain the advantages 
they had hitherto gained. Some precaution of the sort ap- 
peared to be absolutely necessary ; for now the numbers of 
the Iroquois were known, a night attack could scarcely be 
successfully met. It would be impossible to prevent the 
enemy from getting possession of the canoes and the ark, 
and the latter itself would be a hold in which the assailants 
would be as effectually protected against bullets as were 
those in the building. For a few minutes both the men 
thought of sinking the ark in the shallow water, of bring- 
ing the canoes into the house, and of depending altogether 
on the castle for protection. But reflection satisfied them 
that, in the end, this expedient would fail. It was so easy to 
collect logs on the shore, and to construct a raft of almost 
any size, that it was certain the Iroquois, now they had 
turned their attention to such means, would resort to them 
seriously, so long as there was the certainty of success by 
perseverance. After deliberating maturely, and placing all 
the considerations fairly before them, the two young begin- 
ners in the art of forest warfare settled down into the opin- 
ion that the ark offered the only available means of security. 


232 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


This decision was no sooner come to than it was communi- 
cated to Judith. The girl had no serious objection to 
make, and all four set about the measures necessary to 
carry the plan into execution. 

The reader will readily understand that Floating Tom’s 
worldly goods were of no great amount. A couple of beds, 
some wearing apparel, the arms and ammunition, a few 
cooking utensils, with the mysterious but half-examined 
chest, formed the principal items. These were all soon 
removed, and the ark having been hauled on the eastern 
side of the building, so that the transfer could be made 
without being seen from the shore. It was thought unne- 
cessary to disturb the heavier and coarser articles of furni- 
ture, as they were required in the ark, and w^ere of but lit- 
tle value in themselves. As great caution was necessary 
in removing the different objects, most of which were 
passed out of the window with a view to conceal what was 
going on, it required two or three hours before all could 
be effected. By the expiration of that time the raft made 
its appearance, moving from the shore. Deerslayer im- 
mediately had recourse to the glass, by the aid of which lie 
perceived that two warriors were on it, though they ap- 
peared to be unarmed. The progress of the raft was slow, 
a circumstance that formed one of the great advantages 
that would be possessed by the scow in any future collision 
between them ; the movements of tlie latter being com- 
paratively swift and light. As there was time to make the 
dispositions for the reception of the two dangerous visitors, 
everything was prepared for them, long before they had 
got near enough to be hailed. The Serpent and the girls 
retired into the building, where the former stood near the 
door, well provided with rifles ; while Judith watched the 
proceedings without through a loop. As for Deerslayer, 
he had brought a stool to the edge of the platform, at the 
point toward which the raft was advancing, and taken his 
seat, with his rifle leaning carelessly between his legs. 

As the raft drew nearer, every means possessed by the 
party in the castle was resorted to, in order to ascertain if 
their visitors had any fire-arms. Neither Deerslayer nor 
Chingachgook could discover any ; but Judith, unwilling 
to trust to simple eyesight, thrust tlie glass through the 
loop, and directed it toward the hemlock boughs that lay 


THE DERRSLAYER. 


233 


between the two logs of the raft, forming a sort of flooring, 
as well as a seat for the use of the rowers. When the heavy- 
moving craft was within fifty feet of him, Deerslayer hailed 
the Hiirons, directing them to cease rowing, it not being his 
intention to permit them to land. Compliance, of course, 
was necessary, and the two grim-looking warriors instantly 
quitted their seats, though the raft continued slowly to ap- 
proach, until it had driven in much nearer to the platform. 

“Are ye chiefs ?” demanded Deerslayer, with dignity. 
“Are ye chiefs? — or have the Mingoes sent me warriors 
without names, on such an ar’n’d ? If so, the sooner ye go 
back, the sooner the one will be likely to come that a war- 
rior can talk with.” 

“ Hugh ! ” exclaimed the elder of the two on the raft, 
rolling his glowing eyes over the different objects that 
were visible in and about the castle, with a keenness that 
showed how little escaped him. “ My brother is very 
proud, but Rivenoak ” (we use the literal translation of the 
term, writing as we do in English) “ is a name to make a 
Delaware turn pale.” 

“That’s true, or it’s a lie, Rivenoak, as it may be ; but I 
am not likely to turn pale, seeing that I was born pale. 
What’s your ar’n’d, and why do you come among light 
bark canoes on logs that are not even dug out r” 

, “The Iroquois are not ducks to walk on water! Let 
the pale-faces give them a canoe, and they’ll come in a 
canoe.” 

“ That’s more rational than likely to come to pass. 
We have but four canoes, and, being four persons, that’s 
only one for each of us. We thank you for the offer, how- 
sever, though we ask leave not to accept it. You are wel- 
come, Iroquois, on your logs!” 

“Thanks — my young pale-face warrior — he has got a 
name — how do the chiefs call him ? ” 

Deerslayer hesitated a moment, and a gleam of pride 
and luiman weakness came over him. He smiled, muttered 
between his teeth, and then, looking up proudly, he said : 

“ Mingo, like all who are young and actyve. I’ve been 
known by different names at different times. One of your 
warriors, whose spirit started for the happy-grounds of 
your people as lately as yesterday morning, thought I de- 
sarved to be known by the name of Havvkeye ; and this 


234 


THE DEKRSLA YRR. 


because my sight liappened to be quicker than liis own, 
Avhen it got to be life or death atween us.” 

Chingachgook, who was attentively listening to all that 
passed, heard and understood this proof of passing weak- 
ness in his friend, and on a future occasion he questioned 
him more closely concerning the transaction on the point 
where Deerslayer had first taken human life. When he 
had got the whole truth, he did not fail to communicate it 
to the tribe, from which time the young hunter was uni- 
versally known among the Delawares by an appellation so 
honorably earned. As this, however, was at a period pos- 
terior to all the incidents of this tale, we shall continue to 
call the young hunter by the name under which he has 
been first introduced to the reader. Nor was the Iroquois 
less struck with the vaunt of the white man. He knew of 
the death of his comrade, and had no difficulty in under- 
standing the allusion ; the intercourse between the con- 
queror and his victim on that occasion having been seen 
by several savages on the shore of the lake, who had been 
stationed at different points just within the margin of the 
bushes, to watch the drifting canoes, and who had not 
time to reach the scene of action ere the victor had re- 
tired. The effect on this rude being of the forest was an 
exclamation of surprise ; then such a smile of courtesy and 
wave of the hand succeeded as would have done credit to 
Asiatic diplomacy. The two Iroquois spoke to each other 
in low terms, and both drew near the end of the raft that 
was closest to the platform. 

“My brother, Hawkeye, has sent a message to the Hu- 
rons,” resumed Rivenoak, “and it has made their hearts 
very glad. They hear he has images of beasts with two 
tails ! Will he show them to his friends?” 

“ Inimies would be truer,” returned Deerslayer : “ but 
sound isn’t sense, and does little harm. Here is one of the 
images ; I toss it to you under faith of treaties. If it’s not 
returned, the rifle will settle the p’int atween us.” 

The Iroquois seemed to acquiesce in the conditions, and 
Deerslayer arose and prepared to toss one of the elephants 
to the raft, both parties using all the precaution that was 
necessary to prevent its loss. As practice renders men 
expert in such things, the little piece of ivory was soon 
successfully transferred from one hand to the other ; and 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


235 


then followed another scene on the raft, in which astonish- 
ment and delight got the mastery of Indian stoicism. These 
two grim old warriors manifested even more feeling, as 
they examined the curiously wrought chessman, than had 
been betrayed by the boy ; for, in the case of the latter, 
recent schooling had interposed its influence ; while the 
men, like all who are sustained by well-established charac- 
ters, were not ashamed to let some of their emotions be 
discovered. For a few minutes they apparently lost the 
consciousness of their situation in the intense scrutiny 
they bestowed on a material so fine, work so highly 
wrought, and an animal so extraordinary. The lip of the 
moose is, perhaps, the nearest approach to the trunk of 
the elephant that is to be found in the American forest ; 
but this resemblance was far from being sufficiently strik- 
ing to bring the new creature within the range of their 
habits and ideas, and the more they studied the image, the 
greater was their astonishment. Nor did these children 
of the forest mistake the structure on the back of the ele- 
phant for a part of the animal. They were familiar with 
horses and oxen, and had seen towers in the Canadas, and 
found nothing surprising in creatures of burden. Still, by 
a very natural association, they supposed the carving meant 
to represent that the animal they saw was of a strength 
sufficient to carry a fort on its back ; a circumstance that 
in no degree lessened their wonder. 

“ Has my pale-face brother any more such beasts ?” at 
last the senior of the Iroquois asked, in a sort of petition- 
ing manner. 

“There’s more where them came from, Mingo,” was the 
answer ; “one is enough, however, to buy off fifty scalps.” 

“ One of my prisoners is a great warrior — tall as a pine 
— strong as the moose — active as a deer — fierce as the pan- 
ther. Some day he’ll be a great chief, and lead the army 
of King George ! ” 

“Tut — tut — Mingo; Harry Hurry is Harry Hurry, and 
you’ll never make more than a corporal of him, if you do 
that. He’s tall enough of a sartainty ; but that’s of no 
use, as he only hits his head ag’in the branches as he goes 
through the forest. He’s strong, too ; but a strong body 
isn’t a strong head, and the king’s generals are not chosen 
for their sinews. He’s swift, if you will, but a rifle-bullet 


236 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


is swifter ; and as for f’erceness, it’s no great ricommend 
to a soldier, they tliat think they feel the stoutest, often 
givin’ out at the pinch. No — no — you’ll never make 
Hurry’s scalp pass for more than a good head of curly 
hair, and a rattlepate beneath it ! ” 

“ My old prisoner very wise — king of the lake — great 
warrior, wise counsellor!” 

“Well, there’s them that might gainsay all this, too, 
Mingo. A very wise man wouldn’t be apt to be taken in 
so foolish a manner as befell Master Hutter ; and, if he 
gives good counsel, he must have listened to very bad in 
this affair. There’s only one king of this lake, and he’s a 
long way off, and isn’t likely ever to see it. Floating Tom 
is some such king of this region as the wolf that prowls 
through the woods is king of the forest. A beast with two 
tails is well worth two such scalps I ” 

“But my brother has another beast? — He will give 
two,” holding up as many fingers, “for old father.” 

“ Floating Tom is no father of mine, but he’ll fare none 
the worse for that. As for giving two beasts for his scalp, 
and each beast with two tails, it is quite beyond reason. 
Think yourself well off, Mingo, if you make a much worse 
trade.” 

By this time the self-command of Rivenoak had got the 
better of his wonder, and he began to fall back on his 
usual habits of cunning in order to drive the best bargain 
he could. It would be useless to relate more than the 
substance of the desultory dialogue that followed, in which 
the Indian manifested no little management in endeavor- 
ing to recover the ground lost under the influence of sur- 
prise. He even affected to doubt whether any original 
for the image of the beast existed, and asserted that the 
oldest Indian had never heard a tradition of any such ani- 
mal. Little did either of them imagine at the time that 
long ere a century elapsed, the progress of civilization 
would bring even much more extraordinary and rare ani- 
mals into that region, as curiosities to be gazed at by the 
curious, and that the particular beast about which the dispu- 
tants contended, would be seen laving its sides and swim- 
ming in the very sheet of water on which they had met* 

* The Otsego is a favorite place for the caravan-keepers to let their ele- 
phants bathe. The writer has seen two at a time, since the publication of 
this book, swimming about in company. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


237 


As is not uncommon on such occasions, one of the 
parties got a little warm in the course of the discussion ; 
for Deerslayer met all the arguments and prevarications 
of his subtle opponent with his own cool directness of 
manner and unmoved love of truth. What an elephant 
was he knew little better than the savage ; but he perfectly 
understood that the carved pieces of ivory must have 
some such value in the eyes of an Iroquois as a bag of gold 
or a package of beaver-skins would in those of a trader. 
Under the circumstances, therefore, he felt it to be pru- 
dent not to concede too mucli at first, since there existed 
a nearly unconquerable obstacle to making the transfers, 
even after the contracting parties had actually agreed up- 
on the terms. Keeping this difficulty in view, he held the 
extra chessmen in reserve as a means of smoothing any 
difficulty in the moment of need. 

At length the savage pretended that further negotiation 
was useless, since he could not be so unjust to his tribe as 
to part with the honor and emoluments of two excellent, 
full-grown male scalps, for a consideration so trifling as a 
toy like that he had seen — and he prepared to take his de- 
parture. Both parties now felt as men are wont to feel 
when a bargain that each is anxious to conclude is on the 
eve of being broken off in consequence of too much per- 
tinacity in the way of management. The effect of the 
disappointment was very different, however, on the re- 
spective individuals. Deerslayer was mortified, and filled 
with regret ; for he not only felt for the prisoners, but he 
also felt deeply for the two girls. The conclusion of the 
treaty, therefore, left him melancholy and full of regret. 
With the savage, his defeat produced the desire of revenge. 
In a moment of excitement, he loudly announced his in- 
tention to say no more ; and he felt equally enraged with 
himself and witlj his cool opponent, that he had permitted 
a pale-face to manifest more indifference and self-com- 
mand that an Indian chief. When he began to urge his 
raft away from the platform, his countenance lowered, 
and his eye glowed even while he affected a smile of amity 
and a gesture of courtesy at parting. 

It took some little time to overcome the vis inertia of the 
logs, and while this was doing by the silent Indian, Riven- 
oak stalked over the hemlock boughs that lay between the 


2;8 


THE DEEKSLA YER. 


logs, in sullen ferocity, eyeing keenly the while the hut, 
the platform, and the person of his late disput.mt. Once 
he spoke in low, quick terms to his companion, and he 
stirred the boughs with his feet, like an animal that is res- 
tive. At that moment the watchfulness of Deerslayer had 
a little abated, for he sat musing on the means of renew- 
ing the negotiation without giving too much advantage to 
the other side. It was, perhaps, fortunate for him that 
the keen and bright eyes of Judith were as vigilant as ever. 
At the instant when the young man was least on his guard, 
and his enemy was most on the alert, she called out in a warn- 
ing voice to the former, most opportunely giving the alarm. 

“ Be on your guard, Deerslayer,” the girl cried ; “ I see 
rifles, with the glass, beneath the hemlock brush, and the 
Iroquois is loosening them with his feet ! ” 

It would seem that the enemy had carried their artifices 
so far as to employ an agent who understood English. 
The previous dialogue had taken place in his own lan- 
guage, but it was evident, by the sudden manner in which 
his feet ceased their treacherous occupation, and in which 
the countenance of Rivenoak changed from sullen ferocity 
to a smile of courtesy, that the call of the girl was under- 
stood. Signing to his companion to cease his efforts to 
set the logs in motion, he advanced to the end of the raft 
which was nearest to the platform, and spoke. 

“Why should Rivenoak and his brother leave any cloud 
between them?” he said. “They are both wise, both 
brave, and both generous ; they ought to part friends. 
One beast shall be the price of one prisoner.” 

“ And, Mingo,” answered the other, delighted to renew 
the negotiation on almost any terms, and determined to 
clinch the bargain if possible by a little extra liberality, 
“ you’ll see that a pale-face knows how to pay a full price 
when he trades with an open heart and an open hand. 
Keep the beast that you had forgotten to give back to me, 
as you was about to start, and which I forgot to ask for, 
on account of consarn at parting in anger. Show it to 
your chiefs. When you bring us our fri’nds, two more 
shall be added to it — and — ” hesitating a moment in dis- 
trust of the expediency of so great a concession, then de- 
ciding in its favor — “and, if we see them afore the sun 
sets, we may find a fourth to make up an even number.” 


rilE DEERSLA YER. 


^J9 

Tliis seltled tlie matter. Every gleam of discontent 
vanished from the dark countenance of the Iroquois, and 
he smiled as graciously, if not as sweetly, as Judith Hutter 
herself. The piece already in his possession was again 
examined, and an ejaculation of pleasure showed how 
much he was pleased with this unexpected termination of 
the affair. In point of fact, both he and Deerslayer had 
momentarily forgotten what had become of the subject of 
their discussion, in the warmth of their feelings ; but such 
had not been the case with Rivenoak’s companion. This 
man retained the piece, and had fully made up his mind, 
were it claimed under such circumstances as to render its 
return necessary, to drop it in the lake, trusting to his be- 
ing able to find it again at some future day. This desper- 
ate expedient, however, was no longer necessary ; and, 
after repeating the terms of agreement, and professing to 
understand them, the two Indians finally took their de- 
parture, moving slowly toward the shore. 

“ Can any faith be put in sucli wretches ?” asked Judith, 
when she and Hetty had come out on the platform, and 
were standing at the side of Deerslayer, watching the dull 
movement of the logs. “ Will they not rather keep the 
toy they have, and send us off some bloody proofs of their 
getting the better of us in cunning, by way of boasting ? 
Tve heard of acts as bad as this.” 

“No doubt, Judith ; no manner of doubt, if it wasn’t for 
Indian natur’. But I’m no judge oi. a red-skin, if that two- 
tailed beast doesn’t set the wliole tribe in some such stir 
as a stick raises in a bee-hive ! Now, there’s the Sarpent, 
a man with nerves like flint, and no more cur’osity in 
every-day consarns than is befitting prudence. Why, he 
was so overcome with the sight of the creatur’, carved as 
it is in bone, that I felt ashamed for him ! That’s just 
their gifts, however, and one can’t well quarrel with a man 
for his gifts, when they are lawful. Chingachgook will 
soon get over his weakness, and remember that he’s a chief, 
and that he comes of a great stock, and has a renowned name 
to support and uphold ; but, as for ‘yonder scamps, there’ll 
be no peace among ’em until they think they’ve got 
possession of everything of the natur’ of that bit of 
carved bone that’s to be found among Thomas Hutter’s 
stores ! ” 


240 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


“ They only know of the elephants, and can have no 
hopes about the other things.” 

“That’s true, Judith; still, covetousness is a craving 
feelin’. They’ll say, ‘ If the pale-faces have these curious 
beasts with two tails, who knows but tliey’ve got some 
with three, or, for that matter, with four ! ’ That’s what 
the school-masters call nat’ral arithmetic, and ’twill be 
sartain to beset the feelin’s of savages. They’ll never be 
easy till the truth is known.” 

“ Do you think, Deerslayer,” inquired Hetty, in her 
simple and innocent manner, “ that the Iroquois won’t let 
father and Hurry go ? — I read to them several of the very 
best verses in the whole Bible, and you see what they have 
done already.” 

The hunter, as he always did, listened kindly and even 
affectionately to Hetty’s remarks, then he mused a mo- 
ment in silence. There was something like a flush on his 
cheeks as he answered, after quite a minute had passed : 

“ I don’t know whether a white man ought to be 
ashamed or not, to own he can’t read ; but such is my 
case, Judith. You are skilful, I find, in all such matters, 
while I have only studied the hand of God, as it is seen in 
the hills and the valleys, the mountain-tops, the streams, 
the forest, and the springs. Much I’arning may be got in 
this way, as well as out of books ; and yet, I sometimes 
think, it is a white man’s gift to read. When I hear from 
the mouths of the Moravians the words of which Hetty 
speaks, they raise a longing in my mind, and I think I will 
know how to read ’em myself ; but the game in summer, 
and tlie traditions, and lessons in war and other matters, 
have ahvays kept me behindhand.” 

“ Shall I teach you, Deerslayer ? ” asked Hetty, earnestly. 
“ I’m weak-minded, they say, but I can read as well as 
Judith. It might save your life to know how to read the 
Bible to the savages, and it will certainly save your soul ; 
for mother told me that^ again and again ! ” 

“ Thankee, Hetty — yes, thankee, with all my heart. 
There are like to be too stirring times for much idleness ; 
but, after it’s peace, and I come to see you ag’in on this 
lake, then I’ll give myself up to it, as if ’twas pleasure and 
profit, in a single business. Perhaps I ought to be 
ashamed, Judith, that ’tis so ; but truth is truth. As for 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


241 


these Iroquois, ’tisn’t very likely they’ll forget a beast witli 
two tails, on account of a varse or two from the Bible. I 
rather expect they’ll give up the prisoners, and trust to 
some sarcumvention or other to get them back ag’in, witli 
us and all in the castle, and tlie ark in tlie bargain. Hows- 
ever, Ave must humor the vagabonds first, to get your 
father and Hurry out of their hands, and next to keep the 
peace atween us, until such time as the Sarpent there can 
make out to get off his betrothed wife. If there’s any 
sudden outbreakin’ of anger and ferocity, the Indians 
will send off all their women and children to the camp at 
once ; whereas, by keeping ’em calm and trustful, we may 
manage to meet Hist at the spot she has mentioned. 
Rather than have the bargain fall through now. I’d throw 
in half a dozen of them effigy bow-and-arrow men, such as 
we’ve in plenty in the chist.” 

Judith cheerfully assented, for she would have resigned 
even the flowered brocade, rather than not redeem her 
father and please Deerslayer. 

The prospects of success were now so encouraging as to 
raise the spirits of all in the castle, though a due watchful- 
ness on the movements of the enemy was maintained. 
Hour passed after hour notwithstanding, and the sun had 
once more begun to fall toward the summits of the west- 
ern hills, and yet no signs were seen of the return of the 
raft. By dint of sweeping the shore with the glass, Deer- 
slayer at length discovered a place in the dense and dark 
woods, where, he entertained no doubt, the Iroquois were 
assembled in considerable numbers. It was near the thicket 
whence the raft had issued, and a little rill that trickled 
into the lake announced the vicinity of a spring. Here, then, 
the savages were probably holding their consultation, and 
the decision was to be made that went to settle the ques- 
tion of life or death for the prisoners. There was one 
ground of hope in spite of the delay, however, that Deer- 
slayer did not fail to place before his anxious companions. 
It was far more probable that the Indians had left their 
prisoners in the camp, than that they had encumbered 
themselves by causing them to follow through the woods 
a party that was out on a merely temporary excursion. If 
such was the fact, it required considerable time to send a 
messenger the necessary distance, and to bring the two 
16 


242 


THE DEEKSLA YER. 


white men to the spot where they were to embark. En- 
couraged by these reflections, a new stock of patience was 
gathered, and the declension of the sun was viewed with 
less alarm. 

The result justified Deerslayer’s conjecture. Not long- 
before the sun had finally disappeared, the two logs were 
seen coming out of the thicket again ; and, as it drew 
near, Judith announced that her father and Hurry, both 
of them pinioned, lay on the bushes in the centre. As 
before, the Indians were rowing. The latter seemed to be 
conscious that the lateness of the hour demanded unusual 
exertions, and, contrary to the habits of their people, who 
are ever averse to toil, they labored hard at the rude substi- 
tutes for oars. In consequence of this diligence, the raft 
occupied its old station in about half the time that had 
been taken in the previous visits. 

Even after the conditions were so well understood, and 
matters had proceeded so far, the actual transfer of the 
prisoners was not a duty to be executed without difficulty. 
The Iroquois were compelled to place great reliance on the 
good faith of their foes, though it was reluctantly given, 
and was yielded to necessity rather than to confidence. 
As soon as Hutter and Hurry should be released, the 
party in the castle numbered two to one, as opposed to 
those on the raft, and escape by flight Avas out of the 
question, as the former had three bark canoes, to say 
nothing of the defences of the house and the ark. All this 
was understood by both parties, and it is probable the ar- 
rangement never could have been completed, had not the 
honest countenance and manner of Deerslayer wrought 
their usual effect on Rivenoak. 

“My brother knows I put faith in hhn]" said the latter 
as he advanced with Hutter, whose legs had been released 
to enable the old man to ascend the platform. “ One scalp 
— one more beast.” 

“Stop, Mingo,” interrupted the hunter, “keep your 
prisoner a moment. I have to go and seek the means of 
payment.” 

This excuse, however, though true in part, was princi- 
pally a fetch. Deerslayer left the platform, and, entering 
the house, he directed Judith to collect all the arms, and 
to conceal them in her own room. He then spoke earnestly 


THE DEEKSLA YER. 


243 


to the Delaware, who stood on guard as before, near the 
entrance of the building, put the three remaining castles 
in his pocket, and returned. 

“You are welcome back to your old abode, Master 
Hutter,” said Deerslayer, as he helped the other up on 
the platform, slyly passing into the hand of Rivenoak, at 
the same time, another of the castles. “ You’ll find your 
darters right glad to see you ; and here’s Hetty come her- 
self to say as much in her own behalf.” 

Here the hunter stopped speaking, and broke out into 
a hearty fit of his silent and peculiar laughter. Hurry’s 
legs were just released, and he had been placed on his feet. 
So tightly had the ligatures been drawn, that the use of his 
limbs was not immediately recovered, and the young giant 
presented, in good sooth, a very helpless and a somewhat 
ludicrous picture. It was this unusual.spectacle, particu- 
larly the bewildered countenance, that excited the merri- 
ment of Deerslayer. 

“You look like a girdled pine in a clearin’, Harry Hurry, 
that is rocking in a gale,” said Deerslayer, checking his 
unseasonable mirth more from delicacy to the others than 
from any respect to the liberated captive. “ I’m glad, hows- 
ever, to see that you haven’t had your hair dressed by any 
of the Iroquois barbers, in your late visit to their camp.” 

“ Harkee, Deerslayer,” returned the other, a little fierce- 
ly, “ it will be prudent for you to deal less in mirth, and 
more in friendship on this occasion. Act like a Christian 
for once^ and not like a laughing gal in a country school, 
when the master’s back is turned, and just tell me whether 
there’s any feet or not at the ends of these legs of mine. I 
think I can see them, but as for feelin’, they might as well 
be down on the banks of the Mohawk, as-where they seem 
to be.” 

“You’ve come off whole. Hurry, and that’s not a little,” 
answered the other, secretly passing to the Indian the re- 
mainder of the stipulated ransom, and making an earnest 
sign, at the same moment, for him to commence his re- 
treat. “ You’ve come off whole, feet and all, and are only 
a little numb, from a tight fit of the withes. Natur’ ’ll soon 
set the blood in motion, and then you may begin to dance, 
to celebrate what I call a most wonderful and onexpected 
deliverance from a den of wolves.” 


244 


THE DKERSLA YER. 


Deerslayer released the arms of his friends, as each 
landed, and the two were noAV stamping and limping about 
on the platform, growling, and uttering denunciations, as 
they endeavored to help the returning circulation. They 
had been tethered too long, however, to regain the use of 
their limbs in a moment ; and, the Indians being quite as 
diligent on their return as on their advance, the raft was 
fully a hundred yards from the castle when Hurry, turning 
accidentally in that direction, discovered how fast it was 
getting beyond the reach of his vengeance. By this time 
he could move with tolerable facility, though still numb 
and awkward. Without considering his own situation, 
however, he seized the rifle that leaned against the shoulder 
of Deerslayer, and attempted to cock and present it. The 
younger hunter was too quick for him. Seizing the piece 
he wrenched it from the hands of the giant ; not, however, 
until it had gone off in the struggle, when pointed direct- 
ly upward. It is probable that Deerslayer could have pre- 
vailed in such a contest, on account of the condition of 
Hurry’s limbs ; but tlie instant the gun went off the latter 
yielded, and stumped toward the house, raising his legs at 
each step quite a foot from the ground, from an uncer- 
tainty of the actual position of his feet. But he had been 
anticipated by Judith. The whole stock of Hutter’s arms, 
which had been left in the building as a resource in the 
event of a sudden outbreak of hostilities, had been re- 
moved, and were already secreted, agreeably to Deerslayer’s 
directions. In consequence of this precaution, no means 
offered by which March could put his designs into execu- 
tion. 

Disappointed in his vengeance. Hurry seated himself, 
and like Hutter, for half an hour, he was too much occu- 
pied in endeavoring to restore the circulation, and in re- 
gaining the use of his limbs, to indulge in any other 
reflections. By the end of this time the raft had disap- 
peared, and night was beginning to throw her shadows 
once more over the whole sylvan scene. Before darkness 
had completely set in, and while the girls were preparing 
the evening meal, Deerslayer related to Hutter an outline 
of the events that had taken place, and gave him a history 
of the mqans he had adopted for the security of his chil- 
dren and property. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


245 


CHAPTER XV. 

As long as Edwarde rules thys lande, 

Ne quiet you wyll know ; 

Your sonnes and husbandes shall be slayne, 

And brookes with bloode shall flowe.” 

“You leave youre goode and lawfulle kynge, 

Whenne yune adversitye ; 

Like me, untoe the true cause stycke, 

And for the true cause dye.” — Chatterton. 

The calm of evening was again in singular contrast, 
while its gathering gloom was in as singular unison with 
the passions of men. The sun set, and the rays of the re- 
tiring luminary ceased to gild the edges of the few clouds 
that had sufficient openings to admit the passage of its 
fading light. The canopy overhead was heavy and dense, 
promising another night of darkness, but the surface of 
the lake was scarcely disturbed by a ripple. There was a 
little air, though it scarce deserved to be termed wind. 
Still, being damp and heavy, it had a certain force. The 
party in the castle were as gloomy and silent as the scene. 
The two ransomed prisoners felt humbled and dishonored, 
but their humility partook of the rancor of revenge. 
They were far more disposed to remember the indignity 
with which they had been treated during the last few 
hours of their captivity than to feel grateful for the pre- 
vious indulgence. Then that keen-sighted monitor con- 
science, by reminding them of the retributive justice of all 
they had endured, goaded them rather to turn the tables 
on their enemies than to accuse themselves. As for the 
others, they were thoughtful equally from regret and joy. 
Deerslayer and Judith felt most of the former sensation, 
though from very different causes, while Hetty, for the mo- 
ment, was perfectly happy. The Delaware had also lively 
pictures of felicity in the prospect of so soon regaining his 
betrothed. Under such circumstances, and in this mood, 
all were taking the evening meal. 

“Old Tom! “cried Hurry, bursting into a fit of bois- 


246 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


terous laughter, ‘^you looked amazin’ly like a tethered 
bear, as you was stretched on them hemlock boughs, and 
I only wonder you didn’t growl more. Well, it’s over, and 
syths and lamentations won't mend the matter. There’s 
the 'blackguard Rivenoak, he that brought us off, has an 
uncommon scalp, and I’d give as much for it myself as 
the colony. Yes, I feel as rich as the governor, in these 
matters now, and wall lay down wdth them doubloon for 
doubloon. Judith, darling, did you mourn for me much, 
when I was in the hands of the Philipsteins ? ” 

The last were a family of German descent on the Mo- 
hawk, to whom Hurry had a great antipathy, and whom 
he had confounded with tlie enemies of Judea. 

“Our tears have raised the lake, Harry March, as you 
might have seen by the shore !” returned Judith, with a 
feigned levity that she was far from feeling. “ That Hetty 
and I should have grieved for father, was to be expected; 
but we fairly rained tears for you.” 

^^WQwere sorry for poor Hurry as well as for father, 
Judith ! ” put in her innocent and unconscious sister. 

“True, girl, true! but w^e feel sorrow for everybody 
that’s in trouble, you know,” returned the other in a 
quick, admonitory manner, and a low tone, — “Neverthe- 
less, we are glad to see you. Master March, and out of the 
hands of the Philipsteins, too.” 

“Yes, they’re a bad set, and so is the other brood of ’em 
down the river. It’s a wonderment to me how you got us 
off, Deerslayer, and I forgive you the interference that pre- 
vented my doin’ justice on that vagabond, for this small 
sarvice. Let us into the secret, that we may do you the 
same good turn, at need. Was it by lying or by coaxing? ” 
“ By neither, Hurry, but by buying. We paid a ransom 
for you both, and that, too, at a price so high, you had 
well be on your guard ag’in another captyvement, lest our 
stock of goods shouldn’t hold out.” 

“ A ransom ! Old Tom has paid the fiddler, then, for 
nothing of mine would have bought off the hair, much less 
the skin. I didn’t think men as keen set as them vagabonds 
Wviuld let a fellow up so easy, when they had him fairly at 
a close hug and fioored. But money is money, and some- 
how it’s unnat’ral hard to withstand. Injin, or white man, 
’tis pretty much the same. It must be owned, Judith, 


'FHE DEPIRSLA YER. 


247 


there’s a, considerable of human natiir in mankind giniral- 
ly, after all ! ” 

Hutter now rose, and signing to Deerslayer, he led him 
to an inner room, where, in answer to his questions, he 
first learned the price that had been paid for his release. 
The old man expressed neither resentment nor surprise at 
the inroad that had been made on his chest, though he did 
manifest some curiosity to know how far the investigation 
of its contents had been carried. He also inquired where 
the key had been found. The habitual frankness of Deer- 
slayer prevented any prevarication, and the conference 
soon terminated by the return of the two to the outer room, 
or that which served for the double purpose of parlor and 
kitchen. 

“ I ^v^nder if it’s peace or war between us and the sav- 
ages ! ” exclaimed Hurry, just as Deerslayer, who had 
paused for a single instant, listened attentively, and was 
passing through the outer door without stopping. “This 
givin’ up captives has a friendly look, and when men have 
traded together, on a fair and honorable footing, they 
ought to part fri’nds, for that occasion, at least. Come 
back, Deerslayer, and let us liave your judgment, for I’m 
beginnin' to think more of you, since your late behavior, 
than I used to do.” 

“ There’s an answer to your question. Hurry, since you’re 
in such haste to come ag’in to blows.” 

As Deerslayer spoke, he threw on the table, on which 
the other was reclining with one elbow, a sort of miniature 
fagot, composed of a dozen sticks bound tightly together 
with a deer-skin thong. March seized it eagerly, and hold- 
ing it close to a blazing knot of pine that lay on the hearth, 
and which gave out all the light there was in the room, 
ascertained that the end of the several sticks had been 
dipped in blood. 

“ If this isn’t plain English,” said the reckless frontier 
man, “it’s plain Injin ! Here’s what they call a dicliration 
of war down at York, Judith. How did you come by this 
defiance, Deerslayer ? ” 

“ Fairly enough. It lay, not a minut’ since, in what you 
call Floatin’ Tom’s door-yard.” 

“ How came it there ? It never fell from the clouds, 
Judith, as little toads sometimes do, and then it don’t rain. 


248 


THE DEERSLA VER. 


You must prove where it came from, or, Deerslayer, we 
shall suspect some design to shear them that would have 
lost their wits long ago, if fear could drive ’em away.” 

Deerslayer had approached a window, and cast a glance 
out of it on the dark aspect of the lake. As if satisfied 
with what he beheld, he drew near Hurry and took the 
bundle of sticks into his own hand, examining it attentively. 

“Yes, this is an Indian declaration of war, sure enough,” 
he said, “ and it’s a proof how little you’re suited to be on 
the path it has travelled, Harry March, that it has got here, 
and you never the wiser as to the means. The savages 
may have left the scalp on your head, but they must have 
taken oif ' the ears j else you’d have heard the stirring of 
the water made by the lad as he came off ag’in on his two 
logs. His ar’n’d was to throw these sticks at our door, as 
much as to say, ‘We’ve struck the war-post since the 
trade, and the next thing will be to strike ” 

“ The prowling wolves ! But hand me that rifle, Judith, 
and I’ll send an answer back to the vagabonds through 
their messenger.” 

“Not while I stand by. Master March,” coolly put in 
Deerslayer, motioning for the other to forbear. “Faith 
is faith, wdiether given to a red-skin or to a Christian. 
The lad lighted a knot, and came off fairly, under its blaze, 
to give us this warning ; and no man here should harm 
him while empl’yed on such an ar’n’d. There’s no use in 
words, for the boy is too cunning to leave the knot burning, 
now his business is done, and the night is already too 
dark for a rifle to have any sartainty.” 

“ That may be true enough, as to a gun, but there’s 
virtue still in a canoe,” answered Hurry, passing toward 
the door with enormous strides, carrying a rifle in his 
hands. “The being doesnt’ live that shall stop me from 
following, and bringing back that riptyle’s scalp. The 
more on ’em that you crush in the egg, the fewer there’ll 
be to dart at you in the woods ! ” 

Judith trembled like the aspen, she scarce knew why 
herself, though there was the prospect of a scene of vio- 
lence ; for, if Hurry was fierce and overbearing in the con- 
sciousness of his vast strength, Deerslayer had about him 
the calm determination that promises greater perseverance, 
and a resolution more likely to effect its object. It was 


'niK DPIERSLA YER. 


249 


the stern, resolute eye of the latter, rather than the noisy 
vehemence of the first, that excited her apprehensions. 
Hurry soon readied the spot where the canoe was fastened, 
but not before Deerslayer had spoken in a quick, earnest 
voice to the Serpent, in Delaware. The latter had been 
the first, in truth, to hear the sounds of tlie oars, and he 
liad gone upon the platform in jealous watchfulness. The 
light satisfied him that a message was coming, and when 
the boy cast his bundle of sticks at his feet, it neither moved 
his anger nor induced surprise. He merely stood at watch, 
rifle in hand, to make certain that no treachery lay behind 
the defiance. As Deerslayer now called to him, he stepped 
into the canoe, and quick as thought removed the paddles. 
Hurry was furious when he found that he was deprived of 
the means of proceeding. He first approached the Indian 
with loud menaces, and even Deerslayer stood aghast at 
the probable consequences. March shook his sledge-ham- 
mer fists and flourished his arms, as he drew near the In- 
dian, and all expected he would attempt to fell the Dela- 
ware to the earth ; one of them, at least, was well aware 
that such an experiment would be followed by immediate 
bloodshed. But even Hurry was awed by the stern com- 
posure of the chief, and he, too, knew that such a man was 
not to be outraged with impunity ; he therefore, turned 
to vent his rage on Deerslayer, where he foresaw no con- 
sequences so terrible. What might have been the result of 
this second demonstration, if completed, is unknown, since 
it was never made. 

“ Hurry,” said a gentle, soothing voice at his elbow, 
“ it’s wicked to be so angry, and God will not overlook it. 
The Iroquois treated you well, and they didn’t take your 
scalp, though you and father wanted to take theirs'' 

The influence of mildness on passion is well known. 
Hetty, too, had earned a sort of consideration, that had 
nev'er before been enjoyed by her, through the self-devo- 
tion and decision of her recent conduct. Perhaps her es- 
tablished mental imbecility, by removing all distrust of a 
wish to control, aided her influence. Let the cause be as 
questionable as it might, the effect was sufficiently certain. 
Instead of throttling his old fellow-traveller. Hurry turned 
to the girl, and poured out a portion of his discontent, if 
none of his anger, in her attentive ears. 


250 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


“Tis too bad, Hetty!” he exclaimed; “as bad as a 
county jail or a lack of beaver, to get a creatur into 
your very trap, and then to see it get off. As much as 
six first-quality skins, in valie, has paddled off on them 
clumsy logs, when twenty strokes of a well turned paddle 
would overtake ’em. I say in valie, for as to the boy in the 
way of natur’, he is only a boy, and is worth neither 
more nor less than one. Deerslayer, you’ve been ontrue 
to your fri’nds in letting such a chance slip through my 
fingers as well as your own.” 

The answer was given quietly, but with a voice as steady 
as a fearless nature and the consciousness of rectitude 
could make it. “1 should have been ontrue to the right 
had I done otherwise,” returned Deerslayer, steadily ; 
“and neither you nor any other man has authority to de- 
mand that much of me. The lad came on a lawful busi- 
ness, and the meanest red-skin that roams the woods 
would be ashamed of not respecting his ar’n’d. But he’s 
now far beyond your reach, Master March, and there’s littje 
use in talking, like a couple of women, of what can no 
longer be helped.” 

So saying, Deerslayer turned away, like one resolved to 
waste no more words on the subject, while Hutter pulled 
Harry by the sleeve, and led him into the ark. There 
they sat long in private conference. In the meantime, 
the Indian and his friend had their secret consultation ; 
for, though it wanted some three or four hours to the ris- 
ing of the star, the former could not abstain from can- 
vassing his scheme, and from opening his heart to the 
other. Judith, too, yielded to her softer feelings, and 
listened to the whole of Hetty’s artless narrative of what 
occurred after she had landed. The woods had few ter- 
rors for either of these girls, educated as they had been, 
and accustomed as they were to look out daily at their 
rich expanse, or to wander beneath their dark shades ; but 
the elder sister felt that she would have hesitated about 
thus venturing alone into an Iroquois camp. Concerning 
Hist, Hetty was not very communicative. She spoke of 
her kindness and gentleness, and of the meeting in tiie 
forest ; but the secret of Chingachgook was guarded with 
a shrewdness and fidelity that many a sharper-witted girl 
might have failed to display. 


77/A' DKEKSLA YEK. 


251 


lengtli tlie several conferences were broken up by 
the reappearance of H utter on the platform. Here he as- 
sembled the whole party, and communicated as much of 
his intentions as he deemed expedient. Of the arrange- 
ment made by Deerslayer, to abandon the castle during 
the night, and to take refuge in the ark, he entirely ap- 
proved. It struck him, as it had the others, as the only 
effectual means of escaping destruction. Now that the 
savages had turned their attention to the construction of 
rafts, no doubt could exist of their at least making an at- 
tempt to carry the building, and the message of the bloody 
sticks sufficiently showed their confidence in their own 
success. In short, the old man viewed the night as crit- 
ical, and he called on all to get ready as soon as possible, 
in order to abandon the dwelling, temporarily at least, if 
not forever. 

These communications made, everything proceeded 
promptly, and with intelligence ; tlie castle was secured 
in the manner already described, the canoes were with- 
drawn from the dock and fastened to the ark by the side 
of the other ; the few necessaries that had been left in the 
house were transferred to the cabin, the fire was extin- 
guished, and all embarked. 

The vicinity of the hills, with their drapery of pines, had 
the effect to render nights that were obscure darker than 
common on the lake. As usual, however, a belt of com- 
parative light was stretched through the centre of the sheet, 
while it was within the shadows of the mountains that the 
gloom rested most lieavily on the water. The island or 
castle stood in this belt of comparative light, but still the 
night was so dark as to cover the departure of the ark. At 
the distance of an observer on the shore, her movements 
could not be seen at all, more particularly as a background 
of dark hill-side filled up the perspective of every view that 
was taken diagonally or directly across the water. The 
prevalent wind on the lakes of that region is west, but 
owing to the avenues formed by the mountains, it is fre- 
quently impossible to tell the true direction of the currents, 
as they often varv within short distances, and brief differ- 
ences of time. This is truer in light fluctuating puffs of 
air than in steady breezes ; though the squalls of even the 
latter are familiarly known to be uncertain and baffling in 


252 


THE DERRSLA YER. 


all mountainous regions and narrow waters. On the present 
occasion, Hutter himself (as he shoved the ark from her 
berth at the side of the platform) was at a loss to pronounce 
which way the wind blew. In common, this difficulty was 
solved by the clouds, which, floating high above the hill- 
tops, as a matter of course obeyed the currents but now 
the whole vault of heaven seemed a mass of gloomy wall. 
Not an opening of any sort was visible, and Chingachgook 
was already trembling lest the non-appearance of the star 
might prevent his betrothed from being punctual to her 
appointment. Under these circumstances Hutter hoisted 
his sail, seemingly with the sole intention of getting away 
from the castle, as it might be dangerous to remain much 
longer in its vicinity. The air soon filled the cloth, and 
when the scow was got under command, and the sail was 
properly trimmed, it was found that the direction was 
southerly, inclining toward the eastern shore. No better 
course offering for the purposes of the party, the singular 
craft was suffered to skim the surface of the water in this 
direction for more than an hour, when a change in the cur- 
rents of the air drove them over toward the camp. 

Deerslayer watched all the movements of Hutter and 
Harry wdth jealous attention. At first he did not know 
whether to ascribe the course they had held to accident or 
design ; but he now began to suspect the latter. Familiar as 
Hutter was with the lake, it was easy to deceive one who 
had little practice on the water ; and, let his intentions 
be what they might, it was evident, ere two hours had 
elapsed, that the ark had got over sufficient space to be 
within a hundred yards of the shore, directly abreast of the 
known position of the camp. For a considerable time, 
previously to reaching this point. Hurry, who had some 
knowledge of the Algonquin language, had been in close 
conference with the Indian, and the result was now an- 
nounced by the latter to Deerslayer, who had been a cold, 
not to say distrusted looker-on of all that passed. 

“ My old father and my young brother, the Big Pine” 
— for so the Delaware had named March — “ want to see 
Huronscalps attheirbelts,”said Chingachgook to hisfriend. 
“ There is room for some on the girdle of the Serpent, and 
his people will look for them when he goes back to his vil- 
lage. Their eyes must not be left long in a fog, but they 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


253 


must see what they look for. I know that my brother has 
a white hand ; he will not strike even the dead. He will 
wait for us ; when we come back lie will not hide his face 
from shame for his friend. The great Serpent of the Mo- 
hicans must be worthy to go on the war-path with Hawk- 
eye.” 

“ Ay, ay, Sarpent, I see how it is ; that name’s to stick, 
and, in time, I shall get to be known by it instead of Deer- 
slayer ; well, if such honors will come, the humblest of us 
all must be willing to abide by ’em. As for your looking 
for scalps, it belongs to your gifts, and 1 see no harm in 
it. Be marciful, Sarpent, however ; be marciful, I beseecii 
you. It surely can do no harm to a red-skin’s honor to 
show a little marcy. As for the old man, the father of two 
young women, who might ripen better feelin’s in his heart, 
and Harry March here, who, pine as he is, might better 
bear the fruit of a more Christianized tree, as for thei7i two, 

I leave them in the hands of the white man’s God. Wasn’t 
it for the bloody sticks, no man should go ag’in the Min- 
goes this night,’seein’ that it would dishonor our faith and 
characters ; but them that crave blood can’t complain if 
blood is shed at their call. Still, Sarpent, you can be mar- 
ciful. Don’t begin your career with the wails of women 
and the cries of chifdren. Bear yourself so that Hist will % 
smile, and not weep, when she meets you. Go, then ; and 
the Manitou presarve you ! ” 

“ My brother will stay here with the scow. Wall ! will 
soon be standing on the shore waiting, and Chingachgook 
must hasten.” 

The Indian then joined his two co-adventurers, and first 
lowering the sail, they all three entered a canoe, and left 
the side of the ark. Neither Hutter nor March spoke to 
Deerslayer concerning their object, or the probable length 
of theirabsence. All this had been confided to the Indian, 
who had acquitted himself of the trust with characteristic 
brevity. As soon as the canoe was out of sight, and that 
occurred ere the paddles had given a dozen strokes, Deer- 
slayer made the best dispositions he could to keep the ark 
as nearly stationary as possible ; and then he sat down in 
the end of the scow, to chew the cud of his own bitter re- 
flections. It was not long, however, before he was joined 
by Judith, who sought every occasion to be near him, 


254 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


managing her attack on his affections with the address 
that was suggested by native coquetry, aided by no little 
practice, but which received much of its most dangerous 
power from the touch of feeling that threw around her 
manner, voice, accents, thoughts, and acts the indescriba- 
ble witchery of natural tenderness. Leaving the young 
hunter exposed to these dangerous assailants, it has be- 
come our more immediate business to follow the party in 
the canoe to the shore. 

The controlling influence that led Hutter and Hurry 
to repeat their experiment against the camp was precisely 
that which induced the first attempt, a little heightened, 
perhaps, by the desire of revenge. But neither of these 
two rude beings, so ruthless in all things that touched the 
rights and interests of the red man, though possessing 
veins of human feeling on other matters, was much actu- 
ated by any other desire than a heartless longing for profit. 
Hurry had felt angered at his sufferings, when first liber- 
ated, it is true, but that emotion soon disappeared in the 
habitual love of gold, which he sought with the reckless 
avidity of a needy spendthrift, rather than with the cease- 
less longings of a miser. In short, the motive that urged 
them both so soon to go against the Hurons, was an habi- 
0 tual contempt of their enemy, acting on the unceasing 
cupidity of prodigality. The additional chances of success, 
however, had tiieir place in the formation of the second 
enterprise. It was known that a large portion of the war- 
riors — perhaps all — were encamped for the night abreast 
of the castle, and it was hoped that the scalps of helpless 
victims would be the consequence. To confess the truth, 
Hutter in particular — he who had just left two daughters 
behind him — expected to find few besides women and chil- 
dren in the camp. This fact had been but slightly alluded 
to in his communications with Hurry, and with Chingach- 
gook it liad been kept entirely out of view. If the Indian 
tiiought of it at all, it was known only to himself. 

Hutter steered the canoe ; Hurry had manfully taken 
his post in the bows, and Chingachgook stood in the cen- 
tre. We say stood, for all three were so skilled in the 
management of that species of frail bark, as to be able to 
keep erect positions in the midst of the darkness. The 
approach to the shore was made with great caution, and 


THE DKERSLAYER. 


255 


the landing effected in safety. Tne three now prepared 
their arms, and began their tiger-like approach upon the 
camp. The Indian was on the lead, his two companions 
treading in his footsteps, with a stealthy cautiousness of 
manner, that rendered their progress almost literally noise- 
less. Occasionally a dried twig snapped under the heavy 
weight of the gigantic Hurry, or the blundering clumsi- 
ness of the old man ; but, had the Indian walked on air, 
iiis step could not have seemed lighter. The great object 
was first to discover the position of the fire, which was 
known to be the centre of the whole encampment. At 
length the keen eye of Chingachgook caught a glimpse 
of this important guide. It was glimmering at a distance 
among the trunks of trees. There was no blaze, but 
merely a single smouldering brand, as suited the hour, the 
savages usually retiring and rising with the revolutions of 
the sun. 

As soon as a view was obtained of this beacon, the prog- 
ress of the adventurers became swifter and more certain. 

In a few minutes they got to the edge of the circle of little 
huts. Here they stopped to survey their ground and to 
concert their movements. The darkness was so deep as to 
render it difficult to distinguish anything but the glowing 
brand, the trunks of the nearest trees, and the endless 
canopy of leaves that veiled the clouded heaven. It was ^ 
ascertained, however, that a hut was quite near, and Chin- 
gachgook attempted to reconnoitre its interior. The man- 
ner in which the Indian approached the place that was 
supposed to contain enemies, resembled the wily advances 
of the 'cat on the bird. As he drew near, he stooped to 
his hands and knees, for the entrance was so low as to re- 
quire this attitude, even as a convenience. Before trusting 
his head inside, however, he listened long to catch the 
breathing of sleepers. No sound was audible, and this hu- 
man Serpent thrust his head in at the door, or opening^ 
as another serpent would have peered in on the nest. 
Nothing rewarded the hazardous experiment; for, after 
feeling cautiously with a hand, the place was found to be 
empty. 

The Delaware proceeded in the same guarded manner 
to one or two more of the huts, finding all in the same sit- 
uation. He then returned to his companions, and in- 


THE DEEKSl.A YER. 


# 


^^6 

formed them tliat the Hurons had deserted their camp. 
A little further inquiry corroborated this fact, and it only 
remained to return to the canoe. Tiie different manner 
in which the adventurers bore the disappointment is worthy 
of a passing remark. The chief, who had landed solely 
with the hope of acquiring renown, stood stationary, lean- 
ing against a tree, waiting the pleasure of his companions. 
He was mortified, and a little surprised, it is true ; but he 
bore all with dignity, falling back for support on the 
sweeter expectations that still lay in reserve for that even- 
ing. It was true, he could not now hope to meet his mis- 
tress with the proofs of his daring and skill on his person, 
but he might still hope to meet her ; and the warrior, who 
was zealous in the search, might alw^ayshope to be honored. 
On the other hand, Hutter and Hurry, who had been 
chiefly instigated by the basest of all human motives, the 
thirst of gain, could scarce control their feelings. They 
went prowding among the huts, as if they expected to find 
some forgotten child or careless sleeper ; and again and 
again did they vent their spite on tlie insensible huts, 
several of which were actually torn to pieces, and scat- 
tered about the place. Nay, they even quarrelled with each 
other, and fierce reproaches passed between them. It is 
possible some serious consequences might have occurred, 
had not the Delaware interfered to remind them of the 
danger of being so unguarded, and of the necessity of re- 
turning to the ark. This checked the dispute, and in a 
few minutes they were paddling sullenly back to the spot 
where they hoped to find that vessel. 

It has been said that Judith took her place at the side 
of Deerslayer, soon after the adventurers departed. For 
a short time the girl was silent, and the hunter was igno- 
rant which of the sisters had approached him ; but he soon 
recognized the rich, full-spirited voice of the elder, as her 
feelings escaped in words. 

“This is a terrible life for women, Deerslayer!” she 
exclaimed. “Would to Heaven I could see an end of 
it ! ” . 

“The life is well enough, Judith,” was the answer, “ be- 
ing pretty much as it is used or abused. What would you 
wish to see in its place ?” 

“ I should be a thousand times happier to live nearer to 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


257 


civilized beings— wliere there are farms and churches, and 
houses built as it might be by Christian hands ; and where 
my sleep at night would be sweet and tranquil. A dwell- 
ing near one of the forts would be far better than this 
dreary place where we live.” 

“ Nay, Judith, I can’t agree too lightly in the truth of all 
this, ff forts are good to keep off inimies, they sometimes 
hold inimies of their own. 1 don’t think ’twould be for 
your good, or the good of Hetty, to live near one ; and if 
I must say what I think. I’m afeard you are a little too 
near as it is.” Deerslayer went on, in his own steady, ear- 
nest manner, for the darkness concealed the tints that col- 
ored the cheeks of the girl almost to the brightness of 
crimson, while her own great efforts suppressed the sounds 
of the breathing that nearly choked her. “As for farms, 
they have their uses, and there’s them that like to pass 
their lives on ’em ; but what comfort can a man look for 
in a clearin’, that he can’t find in double quantities in the 
forest ? If air, and room, and light are a little craved, the 
windrows and the streams will furnish ’em, or here are 
the lakes for such as have bigger longings in that way ; 
but where are you to find your shades, and laughing 
springs, and leaping brooks, and vinerable trees, a thou- 
sand years old, in a clearin’ ? You don’t find the7n^ but you 
find their disabled trunks, marking the ’arth like head- 
stones in a grave-yard. It seems to me that the people 
who live in such places must be always thinkin’ of their 
own inds, and of univarsal decay ; and that, too, not of the 
decay that is brought about by time and Natur’, but the 
decay that follows waste and vierience. Then as to churches, 
they are good, I suppose, else wouldn’t good men uphold 
’em. But they are not altogether necessary. They call 
’em the temples of the Lord ; but, Judith, the whole ’arth 
is a temple of the Lord to such as have the right mind. 
Neither forts nor churches make people happier of them- 
selves. Moreover, all is contradiction in the settlements, 
while all is concord in the woods. Forts and churches al- 
most always go together, and yet they’re downrigl?t con- 
tradictions ; churches being for peace, and forts for war. 
No, no — give me the strong places of the wilderness, which 
is the trees, and the churches, too, which are arbors raised 
by the hand of Natur’.” 

17 


258 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


‘‘Woman is not made for scenes like these, Deerslayer ; 
scenes of which we shall have no end, as long as this war 
lasts.” 

“ If you mean women of white color, I rather think 
you’re not far from the truth, gal ; but as for the females 
of the red men, such visitations are quite , in character. 
Nothing would make Hist, now, the bargained wife of 
yonder Delaware, happier than to know that he is at this 
moment prowling around his nat’ral inimies striving after 
a scalp.” 

“Surely, surely, Deerslayer, she cannot be a woman, 
and not feel concern when she thinks the man she love;, i; 
in danger ! ” 

“She doesn’t think of the danger, Judith, but of iv: 
honor; and, when the heart is desperately set on sn it 
feelin’s, why there is little room to crowd in fear. 
is a kind, gentle, laughing, pleasant creatur’, but she Ir. cs 
honor as well as any Delaware gal I ever know’d. Sh; s 
to meet the Sarpent an hour hence, on the p’int wher 
Hettie landed, and no doubt she has her anxiety abou it, 
like any other woman ; but she’d be all the happier did 
she know that her lover was at this moment waylaying a 
Mingo for his scalp.” 

“If you really believe this, Deerslayer, no wonder you 
lay so much stress on gifts. Certain am I, that no white 
girl could feel anything but misery while she believed her 
betrothed in danger of his life. Nor do I suppose even 
you, unmoved and calm as you ever seem to be, could be 
at peace if you believed your Hist in danger.” 

“That’s a different matter — ’tis altogether a different 
matter, Judith. Woman is too weak and gentle to be in- 
tended to run suchVisks, and man must feel for her. Yes, 
I rather think that’s as much red natur’ as it’s white. 
But I have no Hist, nor am I like to have ; for I hold it 
wrong to mix colors, anyway, except in friendship and 
sarvices.” 

“In that you are and feel as a white man should ! As 
for Hurry Harry, I do think it would be all the same to him 
whether his wife were a squaw or a governor’s daughter, 
provided she was a little comely, and could help to keep 
his craving stomach full.” 

“You do March injustice, Judith; yes, you do. The 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


259 


poor fellow dotes on you^ and when a man has ra’aly 
set his heart on such a creatur’, it isn’t a Mingo, or even a 
Delaware gal, that’ll be likely to unsettle his mind. You 
may laugli at such men as Hurry and I, for we’re rough, 
and unteached in the way of books and other knowledge ; 
but we’ve our good p’ints as well as our bad ones. An 
lionest heart is not to be despised, gal, even though it 
be not varsed in all the niceties that please a female 
fancy.” 

“ You, Deerslayer ! — and do you — can you, for an instant, 
suppose I place jjw/ by the side of Harry March ? No, no. 
I am not so far gone in dulness as that. No one — man 
or woman — could think of naming your honest heart, 
manly nature, and simple truth, with the boisterous, sel- 
fishness, greedy avarice, and overbearing ferocity of Henry 
March. Tlie very best that can be said of him is to be 
found in his name of Hurry Skurry, which, if it means no 
great iiarm, means no great good. Even my father, fol- 
lowing his feelings with the other, as he is doing at this 
moment, well knows the difference between you. This 
I kncnu, for he has said as much to me in plain lan- 
guage;” 

Judith was a girl of quick sensibilities and of impetuous 
feelings ; and, being under few of the restraints that cur- 
tail the manifestations of maiden emotions among those 
who are educated in the habits of civilized life, she some- 
times betrayed the latter with a freedom that was so purely 
natural as to place it as far above the wiles of coquetry as 
it was superior to its heartlessness. She had now even 
taken one of the hard handslif the hunter and pressed it 
between both her own, with a warmth and earnestness that 
proved how sincere was her language. It was perhaps for- 
tunate that she was checked by the very excess of her 
feelings, since the same power might have urged her on 
to avow all that her father had said — the old man not 
having been satisfied with making a comparison favorable 
to Deerslayer, as between the hunter and Hurry, but hav- 
ing actually, in his blunt, rough way, briefly advised his 
daughter to cast off the latter entirely, and to think of the 
former as a husband. Judith would not willingly have 
said this to any other man, but there was so much confi- 
dence awakened by the guileless simplicity of Deerslayer, 


26 o 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


that one of her nature found it a constant temptation to 
overstep the bounds of habit. She went no further, how- 
ever, immediately relinquishing the hand, and falling back 
on a reserve that was more suited to her sex, and, in- 
deed, to her natural modesty. 

“Thank’ee, Judith, thank’ee with all my heart,” re- 
turned the hunter, whose humility prevented him from 
placing any flattering interpretation on either the con- 
duct or the language of the girl. “ Thank’ee as much as if 
it was all true. Harry’s sightly — yes, he’s as sightly as 
the tallest pine of these mountains, and the Sarpent has 
named him accordingly ; howsever, some fancy good looks, 
and some fancy good conduct only. Hurry has one ad- 
vantage, and it depends on himself whether he’ll have 

t’other or Hark ! that’s your father’s voice, gal, and 

he speaks like a man who’s riled at something.” 

“ God save us from any more of these horrible scenes ! ” 
exclaimed Judith, bending her face to her knees, and en- 
deavoring to exclude the discordant sounds by applying 
her hands to her ears. “ I sometimes wish I had no 
father ! ” 

This was bitterly said, and the repinings which ex- 
torted the words were bitterly felt. It is impossible to say 
what might next have escaped her had not a gentle, low 
voice spoken at her elbow. 

“Judith, I ought to have read a chapter to father and 
Hurry ! ” said the innocent, but terrified speaker, and that 
would have kept them from going again on such an er- 
rand. Do you call to them, Deerslayer, and tell them I 
want them, and that it will^ good for them both if they’ll 
return and hearken to my words.” 

“ Ah’s me — poor Hetty, you little know the cravin’s for 
gold and revenge, if you believe they are so easily turned 
away from their longin’s ! But this is an uncommon 
business in more ways than one, Judith ! I hear your 
father and Hurry growling like bears, and yet no noise 
comes from the mouth of the young chief. There’s an 
ind of secrecy, and yet his whoop, which ought to ring in 
the mountains, accordin’ to rule in such sarcumstances, is 
silent ! ” 

“Justice may have alighted on him, and his death have 
saved the lives of the innocent.” 


the: deerslaver. 


261 


Not it — not it — the Sarpent is not the one to suffer if 
thafs to be the law. Sartainly there has been no onset, 
and ’tis most likely that the camp’s deserted, and the men 
are coming back disapp’inted. That accounts for the 
growls of Hurry and the silence of the Sarpent.” 

Just at this instant a fall of a paddle was heard in the 
canoe, for vexation made March reckless. Deerslayer felt 
convinced that his conjecture was true. The sail being 
down, the ark had not drifted far ; and ere many minutes 
he heard Chingachgook, in a low, quiet tone, directing 
Hutter how to steer in order to reach it. In less time than 
it takes to tell the fact, the canoe touched the scow, and 
the adventurers entered the latter. Neither Hutter nor 
Hurry spoke of what had occurred. But the Delaware, in 
passing his friend, merely uttered the words “ Fire’s out,” 
which, if not literally true, sufficiently explained the truth 
to his listener. 

It was now a question as to the course to be steered. A 
short, surly conference was held, when Hutter decided 
that the wisest way would be to keep in motion as the 
means most likely to defeat any attempt at a surprise — 
announcing his own and March’s intention to requite 
themselves for the loss of sleep during their captivity, by 
lying down. As the air still baffled and continued light, 
it was finally determined to sail before it, let it come in 
what direction it might, so long as it did not blow the ark 
upon the strand. This point settled, the released prisoners 
helped to hoist the sail, and then they threw themselves 
on two of the pallets, leaving Deerslayer and his friend to 
look after the movements of the craft. As neither of the 
latter was disposed to sleep, on account of the appoint- 
ment with Hist, this arrangement was acceptable to all 
parties. That Judith and Hetty remained up also, in no 
manner impaired the agreeable features of this change. 

For some time the scow rather drifted than sailed along 
the western shore, following a light southerly current of 
the air. The progress was slow — not exceeding a couple 
of miles in the hour — but the two men perceived that it 
was not only carrying them toward the point they desired 
to reach, but at a rate that was quite as fast as the hour 
yet rendered necessary. But little was said the while even 
by the girls ; and that little had more reference to the 


262 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


rescue of Hist than to any other subject. The Indian was 
calm to the eye, but as minute after minute passed his 
feelings became more and more excited, until they reached 
a state that might have satisfied the demands of even the 
most exacting mistress. Deerslayer kept the craft as much 
in the bays as was prudent, for the double purpose of sail- 
ing within the shadows of the woods, and of detecting any 
signs of an encampment they might pass on the shore. In 
this manner they doubled ofre*^mv point, and were already 
in the bay that was terminated north by the goal at which 
they aimed. The latter was still a quarter of a mile dis- 
tant, when Chingachgook came silently to the side of his 
friend and pointed to a place directly ahead. A small fire 
was glimmering just within the verge of the bushes that 
lined the shore on the southern side of the point — leaving 
no doubt that the Indians had suddenly removed their 
camp to the very place, or at least the very projection of 
land, where Hist had given them the rendezvous. 


CHAPTER XVI. 

I hear thee babbling to the vale 
Of sunshine and of flowers, 

But unto me thou bring’ st a tale 

Of visionary hours.” — W ordsworth. 

The discovery mentioned at the close of the preceding 
chapter was of great moment in the eyes of Deerslayer 
and his friend. In the first place, there was the danger, 
almost the certainty, that Hutter and Hurry would make a 
fresh attempt on this camp should they awake and ascer- 
tain its position. Then there was an increased risk of 
landing to bring off Hist ; and there were the general un- 
certainty and additional hazards that must follow from the 
circumstance that their enemies had begun to change their 
positions. As the Delaware was aware that the hour was 
near when he ought to repair to the rendezvous, he no 
longer thought of trophies torn from his foes ; and one of 
the first things arranged between him and his associate, 
was to permit the two others to sleep on, lest they should 
disturb the execution of their plans, by substituting some 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


263 


of their own. The ark moved slowly, and it would have 
taken fully a quarter of an hour to reach the point, at the 
rate at which they were going, thus affording time for a 
little forethought. The Indians, in the wish to conceal 
their fire from those who were thought to be still in the 
castle, had placed it so near the southern side of the point 
as to render it extremely difficult to shut it in by the 
bushes, though Deerslayer varied the direction of the scow, 
both to the right and to the left, in the hope of being able 
to effect that object. 

“ There’s one advantage, Judith, in finding that fire so 
near the water,” he said, while executing these little ma- 
noeuvres ; “since it shows the Mingoes believe we are in 
the hut, and our coming on ’em from this quarter will be 
an unlooked-for event. But ’tis lucky Harry March and 
your father are asleep, else we should have ’em prowling 
after scalps ag’in. Ha ! there — the bushes are beginning 
to shut in the fire — and now it can’t be seen at all ! ” 

Deerslayer waited a little to make certain that he had at 
last gained the desired position, when he gave the signal 
agreed on, and Chingachgook let go the grapnel and low- 
ered the sail. 

The situation in which the ark now lay had its advan- 
tages and its disadvantages. The fire had been hid by 
sheering toward the shore, and the latter was nearer, per- 
haps, than was desirable. Still the water was known to 
be very deep farther off in the lake, and anchoring in deep 
water, under the circumstance in which the party was 
placed, was to be avoided, if possible. It was also believed 
no raft could be within miles ; and though the trees in the 
darkness appeared almost to overhang the scow, it would 
not be easy to get off to her without using a boat. The in- 
tense darkness that prevailed so close in with the forest, 
too, served as an effectual screen ; and so long as care was 
had not to make a noise, there was little or no danger of 
being detected. All these things Deerslayer pointed out 
to Judith, instructing her as to the course she was to follow 
in the event of an alarm ; for it was thought to the last 
degree inexpedient to arouse the sleepers, unless it might 
be in the greatest emergency. 

“And now, Judith, as we understand one’another, it is 
time the Sarpent and I had taken to the canoe,” the hunter 


264 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


concluded. “The star has not risen yet, it’s true, but it 
soon must ; though none of us are likely to be any the 
wiser for it, to-night, on account of the clouds. Howsever, 
Hist has a ready mind, and she’s one of them that doesn’t 
always need to have a thing afore her to see it. I’ll war- 
rant you she’ll not be either two minutes or two feet out 
of the way, unless them jealous vagabonds, the Mingoes, 
have taken the alarm and put her as a stool-pigion to 
catch us ; or have hid her away, in order to prepare her 
mind for a Huron instead of a Mohican husband.” 

“ Deerslayer,” interrupted the girl, earnestly, “this is a 
most dangerous service ; why 6.0 you go on it at all ? ” 

“ Anan! — Why, you know, gal, we go to bring off Hist, 
the Sarpent’s betrothed — the maid he means to marry as 
soon as we get back to the tribe.” 

“ That is all right for the Indian — hut you do not mean 
to marry Hist — you are not betrothed, and why should 
two risk their lives and liberties, to do that which one can 
just as well perform ?” 

“Ah ! — now I^ understand you, Judith — yes, now I be- 
gin to take the idee. You think as Hist is the Sarpent’s 
betrothed, as they call it, and not mine, it’s altogether his 
affair ; and, as one man can paddle a canoe, he ought to 
be left alone to go after his gal alone! But you forget 
this is our ar’n’d here, on the lake, and it would not tell 
well to forget an ar’n'd just at the pinch. Then, if love 
does count for so much with some people, particularly 
with young women, fri’ndship counts for something, too, 
with other some. I dares to say, the Delaware can paddle 
a canoe by himself, and can bring off Hist by himself, and 
perhaps he would like that quite as well as to have me 
with him ; but he couldn’t sarcumvent sarcumventions, or 
stir up an ambushment, or fight with the savages, and get 
his sweetheart at the same time, as well by himself as if 
he had a fri’nd with him, to depend on, even if that fri’nd 
is no better than myself. No — no — Judith, you wouldn’t 
desart one that counted on you^ at such a moment, and 
you can’t in reason, expect me to do it.” 

“I fear — I believe you are right, Deerslayer. Yet I 
wish you were not to go. Promise me one thing, at least, 
and that is not to trust yourself among the savages, or to 
do anything more than to save the girl. That will be 


THE DEERSLAYER. 265 

enough for once, and with that you ought to be satis- 
fied.” 

“ Lord bless you, gal ! one would think it was Hetty 
that’s talking, and not the quick-witted and wonderful 
Judith Hutter. But fright makes the wise silly, and the 
strong weak. Yes, I’ve seen proofs of that, time and 
ag’in. Well, it’s kind and soft-hearted in you, Judith, to 
feel this consarn for a fellow-creatur’, and I shall always 
say that you are kind and of true feelin’s, let them that 
invy your good looks tell as many idle stories of you as 
they may.” 

“ Deerslayer !” hastily said the girl, interrupting him, 
though nearly choked by her emotions ; “do you believe 
all you heard about a poor motherless girl ? Is the foul 
tongue of Hurry Harry to blast my life ? ” 

“ Not it, Judith ; not it. I’ve told Hurry it wasn’t man- 
ful to backbite them he couldn’t win by fair means, and 
that even an Indian is always tender touching a young 
woman’s good name.” 

“If I had a brother, he wouldn’t dare to do it!” ex- 
claimed Judith, her eyes flashing fire. “But, finding me 
without any protector but an old man, whose ears are 
getting to be as dull as his feelings, he has his way as he 
pleases.” 

“ Not exactly that, Judith ; no, not exactly that, neither. 
No man, brother or stranger, would stand by and see as 
fair a gal as yourself hunted down, without saying a 
word in her behalf. Hurry’s in ’arnest in wanting to 
make you his wife, and the little he does let out ag’in you, 
comes more from jealousy, like, than from anything else. 
Smile on him when he awakes, and squeeze his hand only 
about half as hard as you squeezed mine a bit ago, and, 
my life on it, the poor fellow will forget everything but 
your comeliness. Hot words don’t always come from the 
heart, but oftener from the stomach, than anywhere else. 
Try him, Judith, when he wakes, and see the vartue of a 
smile.” 

Deerslayer laughed, in his own manner, as he concluded, 
and then he intimated to the patient-looking but really 
impatient Chingachgook his readiness to proceed. As the 
young man entered the canoe, the girl stood immovable 
as stone, lost in the musings that the language and man- 


266 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


ner of the other were likely to produce. The simplicity 
of the hunter had completely put her at fault ; for her 
narrow sphere, Judith was an expert manager of the other 
sex ; though, in the present instance, she was far more 
actuated by impulses, in all she had said and done, than 
by calculation. We shall not deny that some of Judith’s 
reflections were bitter, though the sequel of the tale must 
be referred to, in order to explain how merited or how 
keen were her sufferings. 

Chingachgook and his pale-face friend set forth on 
their hazardous and delicate enterprise with a coolness 
and method that would have done credit to men who were 
on their twentieth instead of being on their first war-path. 
As suited his relation to the pretty fugitive, in whose ser- 
vice they were engaged, the Indian took his place in the 
head of the canoe, while Deerslayer guided its movements 
in the stern. By this arrangement the former would be 
first tt) land, and of course the first to meet his mistress. 
The latter had taken his post without comment, but in 
secret influenced by the reflection that one who had so 
much at stake as the Indian might not possibly guide the 
canoe with the same steadiness and intelligence as an- 
other who had more command of his feelings. From the 
instant they left the side of the ark, the movements of the 
two adventurers were like the manoeuvres of highly drilled 
soldiers, who for the first time were called on to meet the 
enemy in the field. As yet, Chingachgook had never fired 
a shot in anger, and the debut of his companion in warfare 
is known to the reader. It is true the Indian had been 
hanging about his enemy’s camp for a few hours, on his 
first arrival, and he had even once entered it, as related in 
the last chapter, but no consequences had followed either 
experiment. Now, it was certain that an important result 
was to be effected, or a mortifying failure was to ensue. 
The rescue, or the continued captivity of Hist, depended 
on the enterprise. In a word, it was virtually the maiden 
expedition of these two ambitious young forest soldiers ; 
and while one of them set forth, impelled by sentiments 
that usually carry men so far, both had all tli^ir feelings 
of pride and manhood enlisted in their success. 

Instead of steering in ? direct line to the point, then • 
distant from the ark less than a quarter of a mile, Deer- 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


267 


slayer laid the head of his canoe diagonally toward the 
centre of the lake, with a view to obtain a position from 
which he might approach the shore, having his enemies 
in his front only. The spot where Hetty had landed, and 
where Hist had promised to meet them, moreover, was on 
the upper side of the projection, rather than on the lower ; 
and to reach it, would have required the adventurers to 
double nearly the whole point, close in with the shore, had 
not this preliminary step been taken. So well was the 
necessity for this measure understood, that Chingachgook 
quietly paddled on, although it was adopted without con- 
sulting him, and apparently was taking him in a direction 
nearly opposite to that one might think he most wished to 
go. A few minutes sufficed, however, to carry the canoe the 
necessary distance, when both the young men ceased pad- 
dling, as it were, by instinctive consent, and the boat be- 
came stationary. 

The darkness increased rather than diminished, but it 
was still possible, from the place where the adventurers 
lay, to distinguish the outlines of the mountains. In vain 
did the Delaware turn his head eastward, to catch a 
glimpse of the promised star ; for, notwithstanding the 
clouds broke a little near tiie horizon in that quarter of 
the heavens, the curtain continued so far drawn as effec- 
tually to conceal all behind it. In front, as was known by 
the formation of land above and behind it, lay the point, 
at a distance of about a thousand feet. No signs of the 
castle could be seen, nor could any movement in that 
quarter of the lake reach the ear. The latter circum- 
stance might have been equally owing to the distance, 
which was several miles, or to the fact that nothing was in 
motion. As for the ark, though scarcely farther from the 
canoe than the point, it lay so completely buried in the 
shadows of the shore that it would not have been visible 
even had there been' many degrees more of light than 
actually existed. 

The adventurers now held a conference in low voices, 
consulting together as to the probable time. Deerslayer 
thought it wanted yet some minutes to the rising of the 
star, while the impatience of the chief caused him to fancy 
the night farther advanced, and to believe that his be- 
trothed was already waiting his appearance on the shore. 


268 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


As might have been expected, the opinion of the latter 
prevailed and his friend disposed himself to steer for the 
place of rendezvous. The utmost skill and precaution now 
became necessary in the management of the canoe. The 
paddles were lifted and returned to the water in a noiseless 
manner ; and, when within a hundred yards of the beach, 
Chingachgook took in his altogether, laying his hand on 
his rifle in its stead. As they got still more within the 
belt of darkness that girded the woods, it was seen that 
they were steering too far north, and the course was altered 
accordingly. The canoe now seemed to move by instinct, 
so cautious and deliberate were all its motions. Still it con- 
tinued to advance, until its bows grated on the gravel of 
the beach, at the precise spot where Hetty had landed, 
and whence her voice had issued, the previous night, as 
the ark was passing. There was, as usual, a narrow strand, 
but bushes fringed the woods, and in most places over- 
hung the water. 

Chingachgook stepped upon the beach, and cautiously 
examined it, for some distance, on each side of the canoe. 
In order to do this, he was often obliged to wade to his 
knees in the lake. No Hist rewarded his search. When 
he returned, he found his friend also on the shore. They 
next conferred in whispers, the Indian apprehending that 
they must have mistaken the place of rendezvous. Deer- 
slayer thought it was probable they had mistaken the hour. 
While he was yet speaking, he grasped the arm of the 
Delaware, caused him to turn his head in the direction of 
the lake, and pointed toward the summits of the eastern 
mountains. The clouds had broken a little, apparently 
behind rather than above the hills, and the selected star 
was glittering among the branches of a pine. This was 
every way a flattering omen, and the young men leaned on 
their rifles, listening intently for the sound of approaching 
footsteps. Voices they often heard, and mingled with 
them were the suppressed cries of children, and the low 
but sweet laugh of Indian women. As the native Ameri- 
cans are habitually cautious, and seldom break out in loud 
conversation, the adventurers knew by these facts that they 
must be very near the encampment. It was easy to per- 
ceive that there was a fire within the woods, by the manner 
in which some of the upper branches of the trees were illu- 


THE EE EES LA YER. 


269 


minated, but it was not possible, where they stood, to as- 
certain exactly how near it was to themselves. Once or 
twice it seemed as if stragglers from around the fire were 
approaching the place of rendezvous, but these sounds 
were either altogether illusion, or those who had drawn 
near returned again without coming to the shore. A 
quarter of an hour was passed in this state of intense ex- 
pectation and anxiety, when Deerslayer proposed that they 
should circle the point in the canoe ; and by getting a 
position close in, where the camp could be seen, reconnoi- 
tre the Indians, and thus enable themselves to form some 
plausible conjectures for the non-appearance of Hist. The 
Delaware, however, resolutely refused to quit the spot, 
plausibly enough offering as a reason the disappointment 
of the girl, should she arrive in his absence. Deerslayer 
felt for his friend’s concern, and offered to make the circuit 
of the point by himself, leaving the latter concealed in the 
bushes to await the occurrence of any fortunate event that 
might favor his views. With this understanding, the n, the 
parties separated. 

As soon as Deerslayer was at his post again, in the stern 
of the canoe, he left the shore with the same precautions, 
and in the same noiseless manner as he had approached 
it. On this occasion he did not go far from the land, the 
bushes affording sufficient cover, by keeping as close in 
as possible. Indeed, it would not have been easy to de- 
vise any means more favorable to reconnoitring round 
an Indian camp, than those afforded by the actual state 
of things. The formation of the point permitted the place 
to be circled on three of its sides, and the progress of the 
boat was so noiseless as to remove any apprehension from 
an alarm through sound. The most practised and guarded 
foot might stir a bunch of leaves or snap a dried stick in 
the dark, but a bark canoe could be made to float over the 
surface of smooth water, almost with the instinctive readi- 
ness, and certainly with the noiseless movements, of an 
aquatic bird. 

Deerslayer had got nearly in a line between the camp 
and the ark, before he caught a glimpse of the fire. This 
came upon him suddenly, and a little unexpectedly, at 
first causing an alarm, lest he had incautiously ventured 
witiiin the circle of light it cast. But, perceiving at a 


270 


THE DEERS LA YER. 


secojid glance that he was certainly safe from detection, 
so long as the Indians kept near the centre of the illumi- 
nation, he brought the canoe to a state of rest, in the most 
favorable position he could find and commenced his ob- 
servations. 

We have written much, but in vain, concerning this ex- 
traordinary being, if the reader requires now to be told 
that, untutored as he was in the learning of the world, 
and simple as he ever showed himself to be in all matters 
touching the subtleties of conventional taste, he was a man 
of strong, native, poetical feeling. He loved the woods 
for their freshness, their sublime solitudes, their vastness, 
and the impress that" they everywhere bore of the divine 
hand of their Creator. He rarely moved through them, 
without pausing to dwell on some peculiar beauty that 
gave him pleasure, though seldom attempting to investi- 
gate the causes ; and never did a day pass without his 
communing in spirit, and this, too, without the aid of 
forms or language, with the infinite source of all he saw, 
felt, and beheld. Thus constituted in a moral sense, and 
of a steadiness that no danger could appall or any crisis 
disturb, it is not surprising that the hunter felt a pleasure 
at looking on the scene he now beheld, that momentarily 
caused him to forget the object of his visit. This will 
more fully appear when we describe it. 

The canoe lay in front of a natural vista, not only 
through the bushes that lined the shore, but of the trees 
also, that afforded a clear view of the camp. It was by 
means of this same opening that the light had been first 
seen from the ark. In consequence of their recent change 
of ground, the Indians had not yet retired to their huts, 
but had been delayed by their preparations, which in- 
cluded lodging as well as food. A large fire had been 
made, as much to answer the purpose of torches as fof 
the use of their simple cookery ; and at this precise mo- 
ment it was blazing high and bright, having recently re- 
ceived a large supply of dried brush. The elfect was to 
illuminate the arches of the forest, and to render the whole 
area occupied by the camp as light as if hundreds of ta- 
pers were burning. Most of the toil had ceased, and even 
the hungriest child had satisfied its appetite. In a word, 
the time was that moment of relaxation and general indo- 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


271 


lence which is apt to succeed a hearty meal, and when the 
labors of the day have ended. The hunters and the fish- 
ermen had been equally successful ; and food, that one 
great requisite of savage life, being abundant, every other 
care appeared to have subsided in the sense of enjoyment 
dependent on this all-important fact. 

Deerslayer saw at a glance that many of the warriors 
were absent. His acquaintance, Rivenoak, however, was 
present, being seated in the foreground of a picture that 
Salvator Rosa would have delighted to draw, his swarthy 
features illuminated as much by pleasure as by the torch- 
like flame, while he showed another of the tribe one of 
the elephants that had caused so much sensation among 
his people. A boy was looking over his shoulder, in dull 
curiosity, completing the group. More in the back- 
ground, eight or ten warriors lay half recumbent on the 
ground, or sat with their backs inclining against trees, so 
many types of indolent repose. Their arms were near 
them, sometimes leaning against the same trees as them- 
selves, or were lying across their bodies, in careless prepa- 
ration. But the group that most attracted the attention 
of Deerslayer was that composed of the women and chil- 
dren. All the females appeared to be collected together, 
and, almost as a matter of course, their young were near 
them. The former laughed and chatted in their rebuked 
and quiet manner, though one who knew the habits of 
the people might have detected that everything wms not 
going on in its usual train. Most of the young women 
seemed to be light-hearted enough ; but one old hag was 
seated apart, with a watchful, soured aspect, which the 
hunter at once knew betokened that some duty of an un- 
pleasant character had been assigned her by the chiefs. 
What that duty was he had no means of knowing ; but he 
felt satisfied it must be, in some measure, connected with 
her own sex, the aged among the women generally being 
chosen for such offices, and no other. 

As a matter of course, Deerslayer looked eagerly and 
anxiously for the form of Hist. She was nowhere visible, 
though the light penetrated to considerable distances in 
all directions around the fire. Once or twice he started, 
as if he thought he recognized her laugh ; but his ears 
were deceived by the soft melody that is so common to 


272 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


the Indian female voice. At length the old woman spoke 
loud and angry, and then he caught a glimpse of one or 
two dark figures in the background of trees, which turned 
as if obedient to the rebuke, and walked more within the 
circle of the light. A young warrior’s form first came 
fairly into view ; then followed two youthful females, one 
of whom proved to be the Delaware girl. Deerslayer 
now comprehended it all. Hist was watched, possibly'by 
her young companion, certainly by the old woman. The 
youth was probably some suitor of either her or her com- 
panion ; but even his discretion was distrusted^ under the 
influence of his admiration. The known vicinity of those 
who might be supposed to be her friends, and the arrival 
of a strange red man on the lake, had induced more than 
the usual care, and the girl had not been able to slip away 
from those who watched her, in order to keep her ap- 
pointment. Deerslayer traced her uneasiness, by her at- 
tempting, once or twice, to look up through the branches 
of the trees, as if endeavoring to get glimpses of the star 
she had herself named as the sign for meeting. All was 
vain, however, and after strolling about the camp a little 
longer, in affected indifference, the two girls quitted their 
male escort, and took seats among their own sex. As 
soon as this was done, the old sentinel changed her place 
to one more agreeable to herself, a certain proof that she 
had hitherto been exclusively on watch. 

Deerslayer now felt greatly at a loss how to proceed. 
He well knew that Chingachgook could never be per- 
suaded to return to the ark without making some desperate 
effort for the recovery of his mistress, and his own gener- 
ous feelings well disposed him to aid in such an undertak- 
ing. He thought he saw the signs of an intention among 
the females to retire for the night ; and should he remain, 
and the fire continue to give out its light, he might discover 
the particular hut, or arbor, under which Hist reposed ; a 
circumstance that would be of infinite use in their future 
proceedings. Should he remain, however, much longer 
where he was, there was great danger that the impatience 
of his friend w’ould drive him into some act of imprudence. 
At each instant, indeed, he expected to see the swarthy 
form of the Delaware appearing in the background, like 
the tiger prowling around the fold. Taking all things into 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


273 


consideration, therefore, he came to the conclusion it would 
be better to rejoin his friend, and endeavor to temper his 
impetuosity by some of his own coolness and discretion. 
It required but a minute or two to put this plan in execu- 
tion, the canoe returning to the strand some ten or fifteen 
minutes after it had left it. • 

Contrary to his expectations, perhaps, Deerslayer found 
the Indian at his post, from which he had not stirred, fear- 
ful that his betrothed might arrive during his absence. A 
conference followed, in which Chingachgook was made 
acquainted with the state of things in the camp. W^'lien 
Hist named ’the point as the place of meeting, it was with 
the expectation of making her escape from the old position, 
and of repairing to a spot that she expected to find with- 
out any occupants ; but the sudden change of localities had 
disconcerted all her plans. A much greater degree of 
vigilance than had been previously required, was now nec- 
essary ; and the circumstance that an aged woman was on 
watch also denoted some special grounds of alarm. All 
these considerations, and many more that will readily sug- 
gest themselves to the reader, were briefly discussed, before 
the young men came to any decision. The\)ccasion, how- 
ever, being one that required acts instead of words, the 
course to be pursued was soon chosen. 

Disposing of the canoe in such a manner that Hist must 
see it, should she come to the place of meeting previously 
to their return, the young men looked to their arms, and 
prepared to enter the wood. The whole projection into 
the lake coqtained about two acres of land, and the part 
that formed the point, and on which the camp was placed, 
did not compose a surface of more than half that size. It 
was principally covered with oaks, which, as is usual in the 
American forests, grew to a great height without throwing 
out a branch, and then arched in a dense and rich foliage. 
Beneath, except the fringe of thick bushes along the shore, 
there was very little underbrush ; though, in consequence 
of their shape, the trees were closer together than is com- 
mon in regions where the axe has been freely used, resem- 
bling tall, straight, rustic columns, upholding the usual 
canopy of leaves. The surface of the land was tolerably 
even, but it had a small rise near its centre, which divided it 
into a northern and southern half. On the latter the Hu- 
18 


274 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


rons had built their fire, profiting by the formation to con- 
ceal it from their enemies, who, it will be remembered, 
were supposed to be in the castle, which bore northerly. 
A brook also came brawling down the sides of the adjacent 
hills, and found its way into the lake on the southern side 
of the point. It had cut for itself a deep passage through 
some of the higher portions of the ground, and in later 
days, when the spot has become subjected to the uses of 
civilization, by its windings and shaded banks, it has be- 
come no mean accessory in contributing to the beauty of 
the place. This brook lay west of the encampment, and 
its waters found their way into the great reservoir of that 
region on the same side, and quite near to the spot chosen 
for the fire. All these peculiarities, so far as circumstances 
allowed, had been noted by Deerslayer, and explained to 
his friend. 

The reader will understand that the little rise in the 
ground that lay behind the Indian encampment, greatly 
favored the secret advance of the two adventurers. It 
prevented the light of the fire diffusing itself on the ground 
directly in the rear, although the land fell away toward 
the water, so a« to leave what might be termed the left. Or 
eastern flank of the position, unprotected by this cover- 
ing. We have said “ unprotected,” though that is not 
properly the word, since the knoll behind the huts and the 
fire offered a cover for those ^yho were now stealthily ap- 
proaching, rather than any protection to the Indians. 
Deerslayer did not break through the fringe of bushes im- 
mediately abreast of the canoe, which might have brought 
him too suddenly within the influence of the light, since 
the hillock did not extend to the water ; but he followed 
the beach northerly, until he had got nearly on the oppo- 
site side of the tongue of land, which brought him under 
the shelter of the low acclivity, and, consequently, more 
in shadow. 

As soon as the friends emerged from the bushes, they 
stopped to reconnoitre. The fire was still blazing behind 
the little ridge, casting its light upward into the tops of 
the trees, producing an effect that was more pleasing than 
advantageous. Still the glare had its uses ; for, Avhile the 
background was in obscurity, the foreground was in strong 
light, exposing the savages and concealing their foes. 


THE DEERSLA VER. 


275 


Profiting by the latter circumstance, the young men ad- 
vanced cautiously toward the ridge, Deerslayer in front, 
for he insisted on this arrangement, lest the Delaware 
should be led by his feelings into some indiscretion. It 
required but a moment to reach the foot of the little as- 
cent, and then commenced the most critical part of the 
enterprise. Moving with exceeding caution, and trailing 
his ritle, both to keep its barrel out of view, and in readi- 
ness for service, the hunter put foot before foot, until he 
had got sufficiently high to overlook the summit, his own 
head being alone brought into the light. Chingachgook 
was at his side, and both paused to take another close ex- 
amination of the camp. In order, however, to protect 
themselves against any straggler in the rear, they placed 
their bodies against the trunk of an oak, standing on the 
side next to the fire. 

The view that Deerslayer now obtained of the camp, 
was exactly the reverse of that he had perceived from the 
water. The dim figures which he had formerly discovered 
must have been on the summit of the ridge, a few feet in 
advance of the spot where he was now posted. The fire 
was still blazing brightly, and around it were seated on 
logs thirteen warriors, which accounted for all whom he 
had seen from the canoe. They were conversing with 
much earnestness among themselves, the image of the ele- 
phant passing from hand to hand. The first burst of sav- 
age wonder had abated, and the question now- under dis- 
cussion was the probable existence, the history and habits 
of so extraordinary an animal. We have not leisure to 
record the opinions of these rude men on a subject so con- 
sonant to their lives and experience ; but little is hazarded" 
in saying that they were quite as plausible, and far more 
ingenious, than half the conjectures that precede the de- 
monstrations of science. However much they may have 
been at fault, as to their conclusions and inferences, it is 
certain that they discussed the question with a zealous and 
most undivided attention. For the time being, all else 
was forgotton, and our adventurers could not have ap- 
proached at a more fortunate instant. 

The females were collected near each other, much as 
Deerslayer had last seen them, nearly in a line between 
the place where he now stood and the fire. The distance 


276 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


from the oak against which the young men leaned and the 
warriors, was about thirty yards ; the women may have 
been half that number of yards nigher. Tlie latter, indeed, 
were so near as to make the utmost circumspection, as to 
motion and noise, indispensable. Altliough they conversed 
in their low, soft voices, it was possible, in the profound 
stillness of the woods, even to catch passages of the dis- 
course ; and the light-hearted laugh that escaped the girls 
might occasionally have reached the canoe. Deerslayer 
felt the tremor that passed through the frame of his friend, 
when the latter first caught the sweet sounds that issued 
from the plump, pretty lips of Hist. He even laid a hand 
on the shoulder of the Indian, as a sort of admonition to 
command himself. As the conversation grew more ear- 
nest, each leaned forward to listen. 

“The Hurons have more curious beasts than that,” said 
one of the girls, contemptuously ; for, like the men, they 
conversed of the elephant and his qualities. “ The Dela- 
wares will think this creature wonderful, but to-morrow 
no Huron tongue will talk of it. Our young men will find 
iiim if the animal dares to come near our wigwams !” 

This was in fact addressed to Wah-ta !-Wah, though she 
who spoke uttered her words with an assumed diffidence 
and humility that prevented her looking at the other. 

“The Delawares are so far from letting such creatures 
come into their country,” returned Hist, “ that no one has 
even seen their images there ! Their young men would 
frighten away the images as well as the beasts.” 

“The Delaware young men! — the nation is women — 
even the deer walk when they hear their hunters coming ! 
Who has ever heard the name of a young Delaware 
warrior ? ” 

This was said in good-humor, and with a laugh ; but it 
was also said bitingly. That Hist so felt it, was apparent 
by the spirit betrayed in her answer. 

“ Who has ever heard the name of a young Delaware ! ” 
she repeated earnestly. “ Tamenund himself, though now 
as old as the pines on the hill, or as the eagle in the air, 
was once young ; his name was heard from the great salt 
lake to the sweet waters of the west. What is the family 
of Uncas ? Where is another as great, though the pale- 
faces have ploughed up its graves, and trodden on its 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


277 


bones ? Do the eagles fly as high, is the deer as swift, or 
the panther as brave ? Is there no young warrior of that 
race? Let the Huron maidens open their eyes wider, and 
they may see one called Chingachgook, who is as stately 
as a young ash, and as tough as the hickory.” 

As the girl used her figurative language, and told her 
companions to “ open their eyes and they would see ” the 
Delaware, Deerslayer thrust his fingers into the sides of 
his friend, and indulged in a fit of his hearty, benevolent 
laughter. The other smiled ; but the language of the 
speaker was too flattering, and the tones of her voice too 
sweet, for him to be led away by any accidental coinci- 
dence, however ludicrous. The speech of Hist produced a 
retort, and the dispute, though conducted in good-humor, 
and without any of the coarse violence of tone and gesture 
that often impairs the charms of the sex in what is called 
civilized life, grew warm and slightly clamorous. In the 
midst of this scene the Delaware caused his friend to 
stoop, so as completely to conceal himself, and then he 
made a noise so closely resembling the little chirrup of the 
smallest species of the American squirrel, that Deerslayer 
himself, though he had heard the imitation a hundred 
times, actually thought it came from one of the little ani- 
mals skipping about over his head. The sound is so 
familiar in the woods that none of the Hurons paid it the 
least attention. Hist, however, instantly ceased talking, 
and sat motionless. Still, she had sufficient self-command 
to abstain from turning her head. She had heard the sig- 
nal by which her lover so often called her from the wigwam 
to the stolen interview, and it came over her senses and 
her heart, as the serenade affects the maiden in the land 
of song. 

From that moment Chingachgook felt certain that his 
presence was known. This was effecting much, and he 
could now hope for a bolder line of conduct on the part 
of his mistress than she might dare to adopt under an un- 
certainty of his situation. It left no doubt of her endeav- 
oring to aid him in his effort to release her. Deerslayer 
arose as soon as the signal was given, and though he had 
never held that sweet communion which is known only to 
lovers, he was not slow to detect the great change that 
had come over the manner of the girl. She still affected 


278 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


to dispute, though it was no longer with spirit and ingenu- 
ity, but what she said was uttered more as a lure to draw 
her antagonists on to an easy conquest, than with any hopes 
of succeeding herself. Once or twice, it is true, her nativ^e 
readiness suggested a retort or an argument that raised a 
laugh, and gave her a momentary advantage ; but these 
little sallies, the offspring of mother wit, served the better 
to conceal her real feelings, and to give to the triumph of 
the party a more natural air than it might have possessed 
without them. At length the disputants became wearied, 
and they rose in a body as if about to separate. It was 
now that Hist, for the first time, ventured to turn her face 
in the direction whence the signal had came. In doing 
this, her movements were natural but guarded, and she 
stretched her arm and yawned, as if overcome with a de- 
sire to sleep. The chirrup was again heard, and the girl 
felt satisfied as to the position of her lover, though the 
strong light in which she herself was placed, and the com- 
parative darkness in which the adventurers stood, pre- 
vented her from seeing their heads, the only portion of 
their forms that appeared above the ridge at all. The tree 
against which they were posted had a dark shadow cast 
upon it by the intervention of an enormous pine that grew 
between it and the fire, a circumstance which alone would 
have rendered objects within its cloud invisible at any dis- 
tance. This Deerslayer well knew, and it was one of the 
reasons why he had selected this particular tree. 

The moment was near when it became necessary for 
Hist to act. She was to sleep in a small hut, or bower, 
that had been built near the spot where she stood, and 
her companion was the aged hag already mentioned. Once 
within the hut, with the sleepless old woman stretched 
across the entrance, as was her nightly practice, the hope 
of escape was nearly destroyed, and she might, at any mo- 
ment be summoned to her bed. Luckily, at this instant, 
one of the warriors called to the old woman by name, and 
bade her bring him water to drink. There was a delicious 
spring on the northern side of the point, and the hag took 
a gourd from a branch, and, summoning Hist to her side, 
she moved toward the summit of the ridge, intending to 
descend and cross the point to the natural fountain. All 
this was seen and understood by the adventurers, and they 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


279 


fell back into the obscurity, concealing their persons by 
trees, until the two females had passed them. In walking. 
Hist was held tightly by the hand. As she moved by the 
tree that hid Chingachgook and his friend, the former felt 
for his tomahawk, with the intention to bury it in the brain 
of the woman. But the other saw the hazard of such a 
measure, since a single scream might bring all the warriors 
upon them, and he was averse to the act on considerations 
of humanity. His hand, therefore prevented the blow. 
Still as the two moved past, the chirrup was repeated, and 
the Huron woman stopped and faced the tree whence the 
sounds seemed to proceed, standing, at the moment, within 
six feet of her enemies. She expressed her surprise that a 
squirrel should be in motion at so late an hour, and said 
it boded evil. Hist answered that she had heard the same 
squirrel three times within the last twenty minutes, and 
that she supposed it was waiting to obtain some of the 
crumbs left from the late supper. This explanation ap- 
peared satisfactory, and they moved toward the spring, the 
men followed stealthily and closely. The gourd was filled 
and the old woman was hurrying back, her hand still grasp- 
ing the wrist of the girl, when she was suddenly seized so 
violently by the throat, as to cause her to release her cap- 
tive, and to prevent her making any other sound than a 
sort of gurgling, suffocating noise. The Serpent passed 
his arm round the waist of his mistress, and dashed through 
the bushes with her, on the north side of the point. Here 
he immediately turned along the beach and ran toward 
the canoe. A more direct course could have been taken, 
but it might have led to a discovery of the place of em- 
barking. 

Deerslayer kept playing on the throat of the old woman 
like the keys of an organ, occasionally allowing her to 
breathe, and then compressing his fingers again nearly to 
strangling. The brief intervals for breath, however, were 
well improved, and the hag succeeded in letting out a 
screech or two that served to alarm the camp. The tramp 
of the warriors, as they sprang from the fire, was plainly 
audible ; and, at the next moment, three or four of them 
appeared on the top of the ridge, drawn against the back- 
ground of light, resembling the dim shadows of the phan- 
tasmagoria. It was now quite time for the hunter to re- 


28o 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


treat. Tripping up the heels of his captive, and giving 
her throat a parting squeeze, quite as much in resentment 
at her indomitable efforts to sound the alarm as from any 
policy, he left her on her back, and moved toward the 
bushes, his rifle at a poise and his head over his shoul- 
ders, like a lion at bay. 


CHAPTER XVII. 

“ There, ye wise saints, behold your light, your star ! 

Ye 'would be dupes and victims, and ye are. 

Is it enough ? or must I, while a thrill 

Lives in your sapient bosoms, cheat you still?” — Moore. 

The fire, the canoe, and the spring, near which Deer- 
slayer commenced his retreat, would have stood in the an- 
gles of a triangle of tolerable equal sides. The distance 
from the fire to the boat was a little less than the distance 
from the fire to the spring, while the distance from the 
spring to the boat was about equal to that between the 
two points first named. This, however, was in straight 
lines — a means of escape to which the fugitives could not re- 
sort. They were obliged to have recourse to a deiour in 
order to get the cover of the bushes, and to follow the cur- 
vature of the beach. Under these disadvantages, then, the 
hunter commenced his retreat — disadvantages that he felt 
to be so much the greater, from his knowledge of the hab- 
its of all Indians, who rarely fail in cases of sudden alarm, 
more especially when in the midst of cover, immediately 
to throw out flankers, with a view to meet their foes at all 
points, and if possible to turn their rear. That some such 
course was now adopted, he believed from the tramp of 
feet, which not only came up the ascent, as related, but 
were also heard, under the faint impulse, diverging not 
only toward the hill in the rear, but toward the extremity 
of the point, in a direction opposite to that he was about 
to take himself. Promptitude consequently became a 
matter of the last importance, as the parties might meet 
on the strand before the fugitive could reach the canoe. 

Notwithstanding the pressing nature of the emergency, 
Deerslayer hesitated a single instant ere he plunged into 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


28 x 


the bushes that lined the shore. His feelings had been 
awakened by the whole scene, and a sternness of purpose 
had come over him, to which he was ordinarily a stranger. 
Four dark figures loomed on the ridge, drawn against the 
brightness of the fire, and an enemy might have been 
sacrificed at a glance. The Indians had paused to gaze 
into the gloom in search of the screeching hag ; and, with 
many a man less given to reflection than the hunter, the 
death of one of them would have. been certain. Luckily, 
he was more prudent. Although the rifle dropped a lit- 
tle toward the foremost of his pursuers, he did not aim or 
fire, but disappeared in the cover. To gain the beach, 
and to follow it round to the place where Chingachgook 
was already in the canoe with Hist, anxiously waiting his 
appearance, occupied but a moment. Laying his rifle in 
the bottom of the canoe, Deerslayer stooped to give the 
latter a vigorous shove from the shore, when a powerful 
Indian leaped through the bushes, alighting like a panther 
on his back. Everything was now suspended by a hair; 
a false step ruining all. With a generosity that would 
have rendered a Roman illustrious throughout all time — 
but which, in the career of one so simple and humble, 
would have been forever lost to the world but for this 
unpretending legend, Deerslayer threw all his force into 
a desperate effort, shoved the canoe off with a power that 
sent it a hundred feet from the shore as it might be in an 
instant, and fell forward into the lake, himself^ face down- 
ward ; his assailant necessarily following him. 

Although the water was de- p within a few yards of the 
beach, it was not more than breast-high, a.s close in as the 
spot where the two combatants fell. Still this was quite 
sufficient to destroy one who sunk under the great disad- 
vantages in which Dee’-slayer was placed. His hands were 
free, however, and the savage was compelled to relinquish 
his hug to keep his- own face above the surface. For half 
a minute there was a desperate struggle, like the flounder- 
ing of an alligator that has just seized some powerful prey, 
and then both ^tood erect, grasping each other’s arms, in 
order to prevent the u.se of the deadly knife in the dark- 
ness. Whr.c might -.ave been the issue of this severe per- 
sonal struggle,- cannot be known, for. half a dozen savages 
came leaphiig into the water to the aid of their friend, and 


282 


THE BE EE SEA YER. 


Deerslayer yielded himself *a prisoner with a dignity that 
was as remarkable as his self-devotion. 

To quit the lake and lead their new captive to the fire, 
occupied the Indians but another minute. So much en- 
gaged were they all with the struggle and its consequences 
that the canoe was unseen, though it still lay so near the 
shore as to render every syllable that was uttered perfectly 
intelligible to the Delaware and his betrothed ; and the 
whole party left the spot, some continuing the pursuit after 
Hist, along the beach, though most proceeded to the light. 
Here Deerslayer’s antagonist so far recovered his breath 
and his recollection, for he had been throttled nearly to 
strangulation, as to relate the manner in which the girl 
had got off. It was now too late to assail the other fugi- 
tives, for no sooner was his friend led into the bushes than 
the Delaware placed his paddle into the water, and the 
light canoe glided noiselessly away, holding its course to- 
ward the centre of the lake, until safe from shot, after 
which it sought the ark. 

When Deerslayer reached the fire he found himself 
surrounded by no less than eight grim savages, among 
whom was his;, old acquaintance Rivenoak. As soon as 
the hatter caught a glimpse of the captive’s countenance, 
he spck apart to his companions, and a low but general 
exciamaticn of pleasure and surprise escaped them. They 
knew that the conqueror of their late friend, he who had 
fallen on tiie opposite side of the lake, was in their hands, 
and subject to tlieir mercy or vengeance. There was no 
little admiration minglvd in the ferocious looks that were 
thrown on the prisoner, win admiration that was as much 
excited by his prese composure as by his past deeds. 
This scene may be said l liave been the commencement 
of the great and terrible reputation that Deerslayer, or 
Hawkeye, as he was afterc ard called, enjoyed among all 
the tribes of New York and Canada ; ji reputation that was 
certainly more limited in its territorial and numerical ex- 
tent than those which are possessed in civilized life, but 
which was compensated for what it \r.:mted in these partic- 
ulars, perhaps, by its greater justice, anJ the total absence 
of mystification and management. 

The arms of Deerslayer were not pinion.ed, and he was 
left the free use of his hands, his knife havin^c been first 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


283 


removed. The only precaution that was taken to secure 
his person was untiring watchfulness, and a strong rope 
of bark that passed from ankle to ankle, not so much to 
prevent his walking as to place an obstacle in the way of 
his attempting to escape by any sudden leap. Even this 
extra provision against flight was not made until the cap- 
tive had been brought to the light and his character ascer- 
tained. It was, in fact, a compliment to his prowess, and 
he felt proud of the distinction. That he might be bound 
when the warriors slept he thought probable, but to be 
bound in the moment of capture showed that he was al- 
ready, and thus early, attaining a name. While the young 
Indians were fastening the rope, he wondered if Chingach- 
gook would have been treated in the same manner had he 
too fallen into the hands of the enemy. Nor did the repu- 
tation of the young pale-face rest altogether on his success 
in the previous combat, or in his discriminating and cool 
manner of managing the late negotiation ; for it had re- 
ceived a great accession by the occurrences of the night. 
Ignorant of the movements of the ark, and of the accident 
that had brought their fire into view, the Iroquois attrib- 
uted the discovery of their new camp to the vigilance of 
so shrewd a foe. The manner in which he ventured upon 
the point, the abstraction or escape of Hist, and most of 
all the self-devotion of the prisoner, united to the readi- 
ness with which he had sent the canoe adrift, were so 
many important links in the chain of facts on which his 
growing fame was founded. Many of these circumstances 
had been seen, some had been explained, and all were un- 
derstood. 

While this admiration and these honors were so unre- 
servedly bestowed on Deerslayer, he did not escape some 
of the penalties of his situation. He was permitted to seat 
himself on the end of a log, near the fire, in order to dry 
his clothes, his late adversary standing opposite, now hold- 
ing articles of his own scanty vestments to the heat, and 
now feeling his throat, on which the marks of his enemy’s 
fingers were still quite visible. The rest of the Avarriors 
consulted together, near at hand, all those who had been 
out having returned to report that no signs of any other 
prowlers near the camp were to be found. In this state of 
things, the old woman, whose name was Shebear, in plain 


284 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


English, approached Deerslayer, with her fists clinched and 
her eyes flashing fire. Hitherto she had been occupied 
with screaming, an employment at which she had played 
her part with no small degree of success, but, having suc- 
ceeded in effectually alarming all within reach of a pair of 
lungs that had been strengthened by long practice, she 
next turned her attention to the injuries her own person 
had sustained in the struggle. These were in no manner 
material, though they were of a nature to arouse all the 
fury of a woman who had long ceased to attract by means 
of the gentler qualities, and who was much disposed to re- 
venge the hardships she had so long endured, as the neg- 
lected wife and mother of savages, on all who came with- 
in her power. If Deerslayer had not permanently injured 
her, he had temporarily caused her to suffer, and she was 
not the person to overlook a wrong of this nature on ac- 
count of its motive. 

“Skunk of the pale-faces,” commenced this exasperated 
and semi-poetic fury, shaking her fist under the nose of 
the impassible hunter, “ you are not even a woman. Your 
friends, the Delawares, are only women, and you are their 
sheep. Your own people will not own you, and no tribe 
of red men would have you in their wigwams ; you skulk 
among petticoated warriors. You slay our brave friend 
who has left us ! — no — his great soul scorned to fight you, 
and left his body rather than have the shame of slaying 
you ! But the blood that you spilt when the spirit was not 
looking on has not sunk into the ground. It must be buried 
in your groans — what music do I hear? Those are not the 
wailings of a red man ! — no red warrior groans so much 
like a hog. They come from a pale-face throat — a Yen- 
geese bosom, and sound as pleasant as girls singing. Dog 
— skunk — woodchuck — mink — hedgehog — pig — toad — 
spider — Yengee ” 

Here the old woman, having expended her breath and 
exhausted her epithets was fain to pause a moment, though 
both her fists were shaken in the prisoner’s face, and the 
whole of her wrinkled countenance was filled with fierce 
resentment. Deerslayer looked upon these impotent at- 
tempts to arouse him as indifferently as a gentleman in our 
own state of society regards the vituperative terms of a 
blackguard : the one party feeling that the tongue of an 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


2S5 


old woman could never injure a warrior, and the other 
knowing that mendacity and vulgarity can only permanent- 
ly affect those who resort to their use ; but he was spared 
any further attack at present by the interposition of Riven- 
oak, who shoved aside the hag, bidding her quit the spot, 
and prepared to take his seat at the side of his prisoner. 
The old woman withdrew, but the hunter well understood 
that he was to be the subject of all her means of annoy- 
ance, if not of positive injury, so long as he remained in 
the power of his enemies ; for nothing rankles so deeply 
as the consciousness that an attempt to irritate has been 
met by contempt, a feeling that is usually the most passive 
of any that is harbored in the human breast. Rivenoak 
quietly took the seat we have mentioned, and, after a short 
pause, he commenced a dialogue, which we translate as 
usual for the benefit of those readers who have not studied 
the North-American languages. 

“ My pale-face friend is very welcome,” said the Indian, 
with a familiar nod, and a smile so covert which it required 
all Deerslayer’s vigilance to detect, and not a little of his 
philosophy to detect unmoved ; “ he is welcome. The 
Hurons keep a hot fire to dry the white man’s clothes.” 

“I thank you, Huron — or Mingo, as I most like to call 
you,” returned the other ; “ I thank you for the welcome, 
and I thank you for the fire. Each is good in its way, and 
the last is very good when one has been in a spring as cold 
as the Glimmerglass. Even Huron warmth may be pleas- 
ant, at such a time, to a man with a Delaware heart.” 

“ The pale-face — but my brother has a name ? So great 
a warrior would not have lived without a name ? ” 

“ Mingo,” said the hunter, a little of the weakness of hu- 
man nature exhibiting itself in the glance of his eye and 
the color on his cheek — “ Mingo, your brave called me 
Hawkeye, I suppose on account of a quick and sartain aim 
when he was lying with his head in my lap, afore his spirit 
started for the happy hunting-grounds.” 

“Tis a good name I The hawk is sure of his blow. 
Hawkeye is not a woman ; why does he live with the Del- 
awares ? ” 

“ I understand you, Mingo, but we look on all that as a 
sarcumvention of some of your subtle devils, and deny 
the charge. Providence placed me among the Delawares 


.THE DEERSLAYER. 


236 


young ; and, ’bating what Christian usages demand of my 
color and gifts, I hope to live and die in their tribe. Still, 
I do not mean to throw away altogether my native rights, 
and shall strive to do a pale-face’s duty in red-skin society.” 

“Good! a Huron is a red-skin as well as a Delaware. 
Hawkeye is more of a Huron than of a woman.” 

“ I suppose you know, Mingo, your own meaning ; if 
you don’t, I make no question, ’tis well known to Satan. 
But if you wish to get anything out of me, speak plainer, 
for bargains cannot be made blindfolded or tongue-tied.” 

“ Good ! Hawkeye has not a forked tongue, and he 
likes to say what he thinks. He is an acquaintance of the 
Muskrat” — this was the name by which all the Indians 
designated Hutter — “and he has lived in his wigwam ; but 
he is not a friend. He wants no scalps like a miserable 
Indian, but fights like a stout-hearted pale-face. The 
Muskrat is neither white nor red, neither a beast nor a fish. 
He is a water-snake ; sometimes in the spring and some- 
times on the land. He looks for scalps like an outcast. 
Hawkeye can go back and tell him how he has outwitted 
the Hurons, how he has escaped ; and, when his eyes are 
in a fog, when he can’t see as far as from his cabin to the 
woods, then Hawkeye can open the door for the Hurons. 
And how will the plunder be divided? Why, Hawkeye 
will carry away the most, and the Hurons will take what 
he may choose to leave behind him. The scalps can go to 
Canada, for a pale-face has no satisfaction in them." 

“ Well, well, Rivenoak — for so 1 hear them tarm you — 
this is plain English enough, though spoken in Iroquois. 
I understand all you mean, now, and must say it out-devils 
even Mingo deviltry ! No doubt ’twould be easy enough 
to go back and tell the Muskrat that I had got away from 
you, and gain some credit, too, by the expl’ite.” 

“ Good ! that is what I want the pale-face to do.” 

“Yes — yes — that’s plain enough. I know what you 
want me to do without more words. When inside the 
house, and eating the Muskrat’s bread, and laughing and 
talking with his pretty darters, I might put his eyes into 
so thick a fog that he couldn’t even see the door, much 
less tlie land.” 

“ Good ! Hawkeye should haA^e been born a Huron. 
His blood is not more than half whi|g4’ 


THE DEEKSLAVER. 


287 


“ There you’re out, Huron ; yes, there you’re as much 
out as if you mistook a wolf for a catamount. I’m white 
in blood, heart, natur’, and gifts, though a little red-skin in 
feelin’s and habits. But when old Butter’s eyes are well 
befogged, and his pretty darters, perhaps, in a deep sleep, 
and Hurry Harry, the Great Pine, as you Indians tarm 
him, is dreaming of anything but mischief, and all suppose 
Hawkeye is acting as a faithful sentinel, all I have to do is 
to set a torch somewhere in sight for a signal, open the 
door, and let in the Hurons to knock ’em all on the head. 

“ Surely my brother is mistaken ; he cannot be wliite 
He is worthy to be a great chief among the Hurons ! ” 

“ That is true enough, I dares to say, if he could do ah 
this. Now, harkee, Huron, and for once hear a few honest 
words from the mouth of a plain man. I am a Christian 
born, and them that come of such a stock, and that listen 
^ j the words that were spoken to their fathers, and will be 
oDoken to their children until ’arth and all it holds perishes, 
can never lend themselves to such wickedness. Sarcum- 
veations in war may be, and are lawful ; but sarcumven- 
ti- -i s, and deceit, a id treachery, among fri’nds, are fit only 
lor t’.e uale-face devils. I know that there are white men 
er ;)ug]x to give yo.; this wrong idee of our natur’, but such 
in, i. thi b blood and gifts, and ought to be, if they 
- o; V and vagabonds. No upright pale-face 
could do what you wish, and, to be as plain with you as I 
wish to be, in my judgment no upright Delaware either; 
with a Mingo it may be different.” 

The Huron listened to his rebuke with obvious disgust ; 
but he had his ends in view, and was too wily to lose ad 
chance of effecting them by a precipitate avowal of resent- 
ment. Affecting to smile, he seemed to listen eagerly, and 
he then pondered on what he had heard. 

“Does Hawkeye love the Muskrat?” he abruptly de- 
manded ; “or does he love his daughters ?” 

“Neither, Mingo. Old Tom is not a man to gain my 
love ; and as for the darters, they are comely enough to 
gain the liking of any young man ; but there’s reason ag’in 
any very great love for either. Hetty is a good soul, but 
natur’ has laid a heavy hand on her mind, poor thing! ” 
“And the Wild Rose!” exclaimed the Huron — for the 
fame of Judith’s be^iuty had spread among those, who could 


258 


THE DEER SLAYER. 


travel the wilderness as well as the highway, by means of 
old eagles’ nests, rocks, and riven trees, known "^to them by 
report and tradition, as well as among the white borderers 
— “ and the Wild Rose ; is she not sweet enough to be put 
in the bosom of my brother ? ” 

Deerslayer had far too much of the innate gentleman to 
insinuate aught against the fair fame of one who by na- 
ture and position was so helpless ; and as he did not choose 
to utter an untruth, he preferred being silent. The Huron 
mistook the motive, and supposed that disappointed affec- 
tion lay at the bottom of his reserve. Still bent on cor- 
rupting or bribing his captive, in order to obtain posses- 
sion of the treasures with which his imagination filled the 
castle, he persevered in his attack. 

“ Hawkeye is talking with a friend,” he continued. “He 
knows that Rivenoak is a man of his word, for they have 
traded together, and trade opens the soul. My friend has 
come here on account of a little string held by a girl, that 
can pull the whole body of the stoutest warrior ! ” 

“You are nearer the truth now, Huron, than you’ve been 
afore since we began to talk. This is true. But one end 
of that string was not so fast to my heart, nor did the Wild 
Rose hold the other.” 

“ This is wonderful ! Does my brother love in his head 
and not in his heart? And can the Feeble-Mind pull so 
hard against so stout a warrior ? ” 

“There it is ag’in ; sometimes right and sometimes 
wrong ! sLi ing you mean is fast to the heart of a 

:^r 'at Delaware ; one of the Mohican stock in fact, living 
'^mo .r the Delawares since the dispersion of his own peo- 
ple, and of Liie family of Uncas — Chingachgook by name, 
or Great Sarpent. - He has come here, led by the string, 
and I’ve followed, or rather come afore, for I got here 
first, pulled by nothing stronger than fri’ndship ; which is 
strong enough for such as are not niggardly of their feel- 
in’s, and are willing to live a little for their fellow-crea- 
tur’s, as well as for themselves.” 

“ But a string has two ends — one is fast to the mind of 

a Mohican, and the other ?” 

“ Why, the other was here close to the fire, half an hour 
since. Wah-ta !-Wah held it in her hand, if she didn’t hold 
it to her heart.” ^ 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


289 


“ I understand what you mean, my brother,” returned 
the Indian gravely, for the first time catching a direct 
clew to the adventures of the evening. “ The Great Ser- 
pent being strongest, pulled the hardest, and Hist was 
forced to leave us.” 

“ I don’t think there was much pulling about it,” an- 
swered the other, laughing, always in his silent manner, 
with as much heartiness as if he were not a captive, and 
in danger of torture or death. “I don’t think there was 
much pulling about it ; no, I don’t. Lord help y-u, Hu- 
ron ! he likes the gal, and the gal likes him, and it sur- 
passed Huron sarcumventions to keep two young people 
apart, when there was so strong a feelin’ to bring ’em to- 
gether.” 

“And Hawkeye and Chingachgook came into our camp 
on this errand only ? ” 

“That’s a question that’ll answer itself, Mingo ! Yes, if 
a question could talk it would answer itself to your per- 
fect satisfaction. For what else should we come ? And 
yet it isn’t exactly so,- neither, for we didn’t come into 
your camp at all, but only as far as that pine, there, that 
you see on the other side of the ridge, where we stood 
watching your movements and conduct as long as we 
liked. When we were ready the Sarpent gave his signal, 
and then all went just as it should, down to the moment 
when yonder vagabond leaped upon my back. Sartain, 
we came for that, and for no other purpose, and we got 
whac we came for ; there’s no use in pretending otherwise. 
Hist is off with a man who’s the next thing to her hus- 
band, and, come what will to me, that's one good thing 
detarmined.” 

“What sign or signal told the young maiden that lier 
lover was nigh?” asked tlie old Huron, with more curi- 
osity than it was usual for him to betray. 

Deerslayer laughed again, and seemed to enjoy the 
success of the exploit with as much glee as if he had not 
been its victim. 

“Your squirrels are great gadabouts, Mingo !” he cried, 
still laughing — “yes, they’re sartainly great gadabouts! 
When other folks’ squirr.els are at home and asleep, yourn 
keep in motion among the trees, and chirrup and sing in 
a way that even a Delaware gal can understand their mu- 

19 


290 


THE DEER SLA YER. 


sic ! Well, there’s four-legged squirrels, and there’s two- 
legged squirrels, and give me the last, when there’s a 
good tight string atween two hearts. If one brings ’em 
together, t’other tells when to pull the hardest.” 

The Huron looked vexed, though he succeeded in sup- 
pressing any violent exhibition of resentment. He soon 
quitted his prisoner, and, joining the rest of his warriors, 
he communicated the substance of what he had learned. 
As in his own case, admiration was mingled with anger at 
the boldness and success of their enemies. Three or four 
of them ascended the little acclivity and gazed at the tree 
where it was understood the adventurers had posted them- 
selves, and one even descended to and examined for foot- 
prints around its roots, in order to make sure that the 
statement was true. The result confirmed the story of the 
ci^tive, and they all returned to the fire with increased 
winder and respect. The messenger, who had arrived 
with some communication from the party above while the 
two adventurers were watching the camp, was now dis- 
patched with some answer, and doubtless bore with him 
the intelligence of all that had happened. 

Down to this moment the young Indian who had been 
seen walking in company with Hist and another female 
had made no advances to any communications with Deer- 
slayer. He had held himself aloof from his friends even, 
passing near the bevy of younger women, who were clus- 
tering together, apart as usual, and conversed in low tones 
on the subject of the escape of their late companipn. 
Perhaps it would be true to say that these last were pleased 
as well as vexed at what had just occurred. Their female 
sympathies were with the lovers, while their pride was 
bound up in the success of their own tribe. It is possi- 
ble, too, that the superior personal advantages of Hist ren- 
dered her dangerous to some of the younger part of the 
group, and they were not sorry to find she was no longer 
in the way of their own ascendency. On the whole, how- 
ever, the better feeling was most prevalent ; for neither 
the wild condition in which they lived, the clannish prej- 
udices of tribes,'nof their hard fortunes as India’n women, 
could entirely conquer the inextinguishable leaning of 
their sex to the affections. One of the girls even laughed 
at the disconsolate look of the swain who might fancy 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


291 


himself deserted, a circumstance that seemed suddenly 
to arouse his energies, and induced him to move toward 
the log on which the prisoner was still seated, drying his 
clothes. 

“This is Catamount!” said the Indian, striking his 
hand boastfully on his naked breast as he uttered the 
words, in a manner to show how much weight he expected 
them to carry. 

“This is Hawkeye,” quietly returned Deerslayer, adopt- 
ing the name by which he knew he would be known in 
future among all the tribes of the Iroquois. “My sight is 
keen : is my brother’s leap long ? ” 

“From here to the Delaware villages. Hawkeye has 
stolen my wife ; he must bring her back, or his scalp will 
hang on a pole and dry in wigwam.” 

“ Hawkeye has stolen nothing, Huron. He doesnjt 
come of a thieving breed, nor has he thieving gifts. Your 
wife, as you call Wah-ta!-Wah, will never be the wife of 
any red-skin of the Canadas ; her mind is in the cabin of 
a Delaware, and her body has gone to find it. The cata- 
mount isactyve, I know ; but it’s legs can’t keep pace with 
a woman’s wishes.” 

“The Serpent of the Delawares is a dog ; he is a poor 
bull-pout that keeps in the water ; he is afraid to stand on 
the hard earth like a brave Indian ! ” 

“Well, well, Huron, that’s pretty impudent, considering 
it’s not an hour since the Sarpent stood within a hundred 
feet of you, and would have tried the toughness of your 
skin with a rifle-bullet, when I pointed you out to him, 
hadn’t I laid the weight of a little judgment on his hand. 
You may take in timersome gals in the settlements with 
your catamount whine ; but the ears of a man can tell 
truth from ontruth.” 

“ Hist laughs at him ! She sees he is lame, and a poor 
hunter, and he has never been on the war-path. She will 
take a man for a husband, and not a fool ! ” 

“ How do you know that. Catamount ? how do you 
know that?” returned Deerslayer, laughing. “She has 
gone into the lake, you see, and maybe she prefers a trout 
to a mongrel cat. As for war-paths, neither the Sarpent 
nor I have much exper’ence, we are ready to own ; but if 
you don’t call this one, you must tarm it what the gals in 


292 


THE DEERS LA YER. 


the settlements tarm it, the high road to matrimony. Take 
my advice, Catamount, and s’arch for a wife among the 
Huron women ; you’ll never get one with a willing mind 
from among the Delawares.” Catamount’s hand felt for 
his tomahawk and when the fingers reached the handle 
they worked convulsively, as if their owner hesitated be- 
tween policy and resentment. At this critical moment 
Rivenoak approached, and, by a gesture of authority, in- 
duced the young man to retire, assuming his former posi- 
tion himself on the log, at the side of Deerslayer. Here 
he continued silent for a little time, maintaining the grave 
reserve of an Indian chief. 

“ Hawkeye is right,” the Iroquois at length began ; “ his 
sight is so strong that he can see truth in a dark night, 
and our eyes have been blinded. He is an owl, darkness 
hiding nothing from him. He ought not to strike his 
friends. He is right.” 

“I’m glad you think so, Mingo,” returned the other, 
“for a traitor, in my judgment, is worse than a coward. 
I care as little for the Muskrat as one pale-face ought to 
care for another ; but I care too much for him to ambush 
him in the way you wished. In short, according to my 
ideas, any sarcu invention, except open-war sarcumventions, 
are ag’in both law, and what we whites call ‘gospel,’ too.” 

“My pale-face brother is right ; he is no Indian to for- 
get his Manitou and his color. The Hurons know that 
they have a great warrior for their prisoner, and they will 
treat him as one. If he is to be tortured, his torments 
shall be such as no common man can bear ; if he is to be 
treated as a friend, it will be the friendship of chiefs.” 

As the Huron uttered this extraordinary assurance of 
consideration, his eye furtively glanced at the countenance 
of his listener, in order to discover how he stood the com- 
pliment ; though his gravity and apparent sincerity would 
have prevented any man but one practised in artifices from 
detecting his motives. Deerslayer belonged to the class of 
the unsuspicious ; and acquainted with the Indian notions 
of what constituted respect, in inattters connected with the 
treatment of captives, he felt his blood chill at the an- 
nouncement, even while he maintained an aspect so steeled 
that his quick-sighted enemy could discover in it no signs 
of weakness. 


THE DEER SLA YEK. 


293 


“God has put me in your hands, Huron,” the captive at 
length answered, “and I suppose you will act your will on 
me. I shall not boast of what I can do, under torment, 
for I’ve never been tried, and no man can say till he has 
been ; but I’ll do my indivors not to disgrace the people 
among whom I got my training. Howsever, I wish you 
now to bear witness that I’m altogether of white blood, 
and, in a nat’ral way, of white gifts, too ; so, should I be 
overcome and forget myself, I hope you’ll lay the fault 
where it properly belongs ; and in no manner put it on the 
Delawares, or their allies and friends the Mohicans. We’re 
all created with more or less weakness, and I’m afeard it’s 
a pale-face’s to give in under great bodily torment, when a 
red-skin will sing his songs, and boast of his deeds, in the 
very teeth of his foes ! ” 

“ We shall see. Hawkeye has a good countenance, and 
he is tough. But why should he be tormented when the 
Hurons love him ? He is not born their enemy ; and the 
death of one warrior will not cast a cloud between them 
forever.” 

“So much the better, Huron; so much the better. 
Still, I don’t wish to owe anything to a mistake about each 
other’s meaning. It is so much the better that you bear 
no malice for the loss of a warrior who fell in war ; and yet 
it is ontrue that there is no inmity — lawful inmity, I mean 
— atween us. So far as I have red-skin feelin’s at all. I’ve 
Delaware feelin’s ; and I leave you to judge for yourself 
how far they are likely to be fri’ndly to the Mingoes ” 

Deerslayer ceased, for a sort of spectre stood before him 
that put a stop to his words, and, indeed, caused him for a 
moment to doubt the fidelity of his boasted vision. Hetty 
H utter was standing at the side of the fire, as quietly as if 
she belonged to the tribe. 

As the hunter and the Indian sat watching the emotions 
that were betrayed in each other’s countenance, the girl 
had approached unnoticed, doubtless ascending from the 
beach on the southern side of the point, or that next to 
the spot where the ark had anchored, and had advanced to 
the fire with the fearlessness that belonged to her simplic- 
ity, and which was certainly justified by the treatment for- 
merly received from the Indians. As soon as Rivenoak 
perceived the girl, she was recognized, and, calling to two 


294 


THE DKERSLA YEK. 


or tliree of the younger warriors, the chief sent them out 
to reconnoitre, lest her appearance should be the forerun- 
ner of another attack. He then motioned to Hetty to 
draw near. 

“ I hope your visit is a sign that the Sarpent and Hist 
are in safety, Hetty,” said Deerslayer, as soon as the girl 
had complied with the Huron’s request. “I don’t think 
you’d come ashore agin on the ar’n’d that brought you 
here afore.” 

“Judith told me to come this time, Deerslayer,” Hetty 
replied ; “ she paddled me ashore herself, in a canoe, as 
soon as the Serpent had shown her Hist, and told his 
story. How handsome Hist is to-night, Deerslayer, and 
how much happier she looks than when she was with the 
Hurons ! ” 

“ That’s natur’ gal ; yes, that may be set down as human 
natur’. She’s with her betrothed, and no longer fears a 
Mingo husband. In my judgment, Judith herself would 
lose most of her beauty if she thought she was to bestow 
it all on a Mingo ! Content is a great fortifier of good 
looks ; and. I’ll warrant you. Hist is contented enough, 
now she is out of the hands of these miscreants and with 
her chosen warrior ! Did you say that your sister told 
you to come ashore — why should Judith do that ? ” 

“ She bid me come and see you, and to try and persuade 
the savages to take more elephants to let you off ; but 
I’ve brought the Bible with me — that will do more than 
all the elephants in father’s chest ! ” 

“And your father, good little Hetty — and Hurry; did 
they know of your ar’n’d ?” 

“ Nothing. Both are asleep ; and Judith and the Ser- 
pent thought it best they should not be woke, lest they 
might want to come again after scalps, when Hist had told 
them how few warriors, and how many Avomen and chil- 
dren there were in the camp. Judith would give me no 
peace till I had come ashore, to see what had happened 
\.o your 

“Well, that’s remarkable as consarns Judith! Why 
should she feel so much unsartainty about me ? Ah, I 
see how it is now ; yes, I see into the whole matter now. 
You must understand, Hetty, that your sister is oneasy 
lest Harry March should wake, and come blundering here 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


295 


into the hands of the inimy ag’in, under some idee that, 
being a travelling comrade, he ought to help me in this 
matter ! Hurry is a bjunderer, I will allow ; but I don’t 
think he’d risk as much for my sake as he w’ould for his 
own.” 

“Judith don’t care for Hurry, though Hurry cares for 
her,” replied Hetty, innocently, but quite positively. 

“I’ve heard you say as much as that afore ; yes. I’ve 
heard that from you afore, gal ; and yet it isn’t true. One 
don’t live in a tribe, not to see something of the way in 
which liking works in a woman’s heart. Though no way 
given to marrying myself, I’ve been a looker-on among 
the Delawares, and this is a matter in which pale-face and 
red-skin gifts are all as one and the same. When the feel- 
ing begins the young woman is thoughtful, and has no 
eyes or ears onless for the warrior that has taken her 
fancy ; then follows melancholy and sighing, and such 
sort of actions ; after which, especially if matters don’t 
come to plain discourse, she often flies round to back- 
biting and fault-finding, blaming the youth for the very 
things she likes best in him. Some young creatur’s are 
forward in this way of showing their love, and I’m of 
opinion Judith is one* of ’em. Now, I’ve heard her as 
much as deny that Hurry was good-looking ; and the 
young woman who could do that^ must be far gone in- 
deed.” 

“The young woman who liked Hurry would own that 
he is handsome, /think Wwxxyvery handsome, Deerslayer, 
and I’m sure everybody must think so that has eyes. 
Judith don’t like Harry March, and that’s the reason she 
finds fault with him.” 

“Well — well — my good little Hetty, have it your own 
way ; if we should talk from now till winter, each would 
think as at present ; and there’s no use in words. I must 
believe that Judith is much wrapped up in Hurry, and 
that, sooner or later, she’ll have him ; and this, too, all 
the more from the manner in which she abuses him ; and, 
I dare say, you think just the contrary. But mind what I 
now tell you, gal, and pretend not to know it,” continued 
this being, who was so obtuse on a point on which men 
are usually quick enough to make discoveries, and so 
acute in matters that would baffle the observation of much 


296 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


the greater portion of mankind; “I see how it is with 
them vagabonds. Rivenoak has left us, you see, and is 
talking yonder with his young men ; and, though too far 
to be heard^ I can see what he is telling them. Their orders 
is to watch your movements, and to find where the canoe 
is to meet you, to take you back to the ark, and then to 
seize all and what they can. I’m sorry Judith sent you, 
for I suppose she wants you to go back ag’in.” 

‘‘ All that’s settled, Deerslayer,” returned the girl in a 
low, confidential, and meaning manner; “and you may 
trust me to outwit the best Indian of them all. I know I 
am feeble-minded, but I’ve got some sense, and you’ll see 
how I’ll use it in getting back when my errand is done !” 

“ Ah’s me ! poor girl ; I’m afeard all that’s easier said 
than done. They’re a venemous set of riptyles, and their 
p’ison’s none the milder for the loss of Hist. Well, I’m 
glad the Sarpent was the one to get off with the gal ; for 
now ther’ll be two happy, at least ; whereas, had he fallen 
into the hands of the Mingoes, there’d be two miserable, 
and another far from feelin’ as a man likes to feel.” 

“Now you put me in mind of a part of my errand, that 
I had almost forgotten, Deerslayer. Judith told me to 
ask you what you thought the Hurons would do with you 
if you couldn’t be bought off, and what she had best do to 
serve you. Yes, this was the most important part of the 
errand — what she had best do in order to serve you.” 

“ That is asyw/ think, Hetty ; but it’s no matter. Young 
women are apt to lay most stress on what most touches 
their feelin’s ; but no matter ; have it your own way, so 
you be but careful not to let the vagabonds get the mastery 
of a canoe. When you get back to the ark, tell ’em to 
keep close, and to keep moving too, most especially at 
night. Many hours can’t go by without the troops on the 
river hearing of this party, and then your fri’nds may look 
for relief. ’Tis but a day’s march from the nearest gar- 
rison, and true soldiers will never lie idle with the foe in 
their neighborhood. This is my advice, and you may say 
to your father and Hurry that scalp-hunting will be a 
poor business now, as the Mingoes are up and awake, and 
nothing can save ’em ’till the troops come, except keeping 
a good belt of water atween ’em and the savages,” 

“What shall 1 tell Judith about you, Deerslayer? I 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


297 


know she will send me back again, if I don’t bring her the 
truth about 

“Then tell her the truths I see no reason Judith Hutter 
shouldn’t hear the truth about me as well as a lie. I’m a 
captrve in Indian hands, and Providence only knows what 
will come of it! Hark’ee, Hetty” — dropping his voice, 
and speaking still more confidentially — “you are 7\. little 
weak-minded, it must be allowed, but you know some- 
thing of Injins. Here I am in their hands, after having 
slain one of their stoutest warriors, and they’ve been en- 
divoring to work upon me, through fear of consequences, 
to betray your father and all in the ark. I understand the 
blackguards as w^ell as if they told it all out plainly with 
their tongues. They hold up avarice afore me on one 
side, and fear on t’other, and think honesty will give way 
atween ’em both. But let your father and Hurry know 
’tis all useless ; as for the Sarpent, he knows it already.” 

“ But what shall I tell Judithl She will certainly send 
me back if I don’t satisfy her mind.” 

“Well, tell Judith tlie same. No doubt the savages 
will try the torments to make me give in, and to revenge 
the loss of their warrior ; but I must hold out ag’in nat’ral 
weakness in the best manner I can. You may tell Judith 
to feel no consarn on my account — it will come hard, I 
know, seeing that a white man’s gifts don’t run to boast- 
ing and singing under torment, for he generally seems 
smallest when he suffers most — but you may tell her not 
to have any consarn. I think I shall make out to stand 
it ; and she may rely on this, let me give in as much as I 
may, and prove completely that I am white, by wailings, 
and bowlings, and even tears, yet I’ll never fall so far as 
to betray my friends. When it gets to burning holes in 
the flesh with heated ramrods, and to hacking the body, 
and tearing the hair out by the roots, Natur’ may get 
the upper hand, so far as groans and complaints are con- 
sarned, but there the triumph of the vagabonds will ind ; 
nothing short of God’s abandoning him to the devils can 
make an honest man ontrue to his color and duty.” 

Hetty listened with great attention, and her mild but 
speaking countenance manifested a strong sympathy in 
the anticipated agony of the supposititious sufferer. At first 
she seemed at a loss how to act ; then, taking a hand of 


298 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


Deerslayer’s, she affectionately recommended to him to 
borrow her Bible, and to read it while the savages were 
indicting their torments. When the other honestly ad- 
mitted that it exceeded his power to read, she even volun- 
teered to remain with him, and to perform this holy office 
in person. The offer was gently declined, and Rivenoak 
being about to join them, Deerslayer requested the girl to 
leave him, first enjoining her again to tell those in the ark 
to have full confidence in his fidelity. Hetty now walked 
away, and approached the group of females with as much 
confidence and self-possession as if she were a native of 
the tribe. On the other hand, the Huron resumed his seat 
by the side of his prisoner, the one continuing to ask ques- 
tions with all the wily ingenuity of a practised Indian 
counsellor, and the other baffling him by the very means 
that are known to be the most efficacious in defeating the 
finesse of the more pretending diplomacy of civilization, 
or by confining his answers to the truth, and the truth only. 


CHAPTER XVHI. 


“ Thus died she ; never more on her 
Shall sorrow light, or shame. She was not made 
Through years or moons the inner weight to bear, 

Which colder hearts endure till they are laid 

By age in earth ; her days and pleasures were 

Brief but delightful — such as had not stayed 

Long with her destiny ; but she sleeps well 

By the sea-shore whereon she loved to dwell.” — Byron. 

The young men who had been sent out to reconnoitre, 
on the sudden appearance of Hetty, soon returned to report 
their want of success in making any discovery. One of 
them had even been along the beach as far as the spot 
opposite to the ark, but the darkness completely concealed 
that vessel from his notice. Others had examined in differ- 
ent directions, and everywhere the stillness of night was 
added to the silence and solitude of the woods. It was 
consequently believed that the girl had come alone, as on 
her former visit, and on some similar errand. The Iroquois 
were ignorant that the ark had left the castle, and there 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


299 

were movements projected, if not in the course of actual 
execution by this time, which also greatly added to the 
sense of security. A watch was set, therefore, and all but 
the sentinels disposed themselves to sleep. 

Sufficient care was had to the safe-keeping of the cap- 
tive, w’ithout inflicting on him any unnecessary suffering ; 
and as for Hetty, she was permitted to find a place among 
the Indian girls in the best manner she could. She did 
not find the friendly offices of Hist, though her character 
not only bestowed immunity from pain and captivity, but 
it procured for her a consideration and an attention that 
placed her, on the score of comfort, quite on a level wfith 
the wild but gentle beings around her. She w’as supplied 
with a skin, and made her own bed on a pile of boughs a 
little apart from the huts. Here she w’as scon in a pro- 
found sleep, like all around her. 

There were now thirteen men in the party, and three 
kept watch at a time. One remained in shadow, not far 
from the fire, however. His duty was to guard the captive, 
to take care that the fire neither blazed up so as to illumi- 
nate the spot, nor yet become wholly extinguished ; and 
to keep an eye generally on the state of the camp. An- 
other passed from one beach to the other, crossing the base 
of the point ; -while the third kept moving slowdy around 
the strand on its outer extremity, to prevent a repetition 
of the surprise that had already taken place that night. 
This arrangement was far from being usual among savages, 
who ordinarily rely more on the secrecy of their move- 
ments than on vigilance of this nature ; but it had been 
called for by the peculiarity of the circumstances in which 
the Hurons were now placed. Their position was known 
to their foes, and it could not easily be changed at an hour 
which demanded rest. Perhaps, too, they placed most of 
their confidence on the knowledge of what they believed 
to be passing higher up the lake, and which, it was thought, 
would fully occupy the whole of the pale-faces, who were 
at liberty, with their solitary Indian ally. It was also prob- 
able Rivenoak was aware that, in holding his captive, he 
had in his own hands the most dangerous of all his ene- 
mies. 

The precision with which those accustomed to watchful- 
ness, or lives of disturbed rest, sleep, iti not the least of the 


300 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


phenomena of our mysterious being. The head is no 
sooner on the pillow than consciousness is lost ; and yet, at 
a necessary hour the mind appears to arouse the body as 
promptly as if it had stood sentinel over it the while. 
There can be no doubt that they who are thus roused 
awake by the influence of thought over matter, though the 
mode in which this influence is exercised must remain hid- 
den from our curiosity until it shall be explained, should 
that hour ever arrive, by the entire enlightenment of the 
soul on the subject of all human mysteries. Thus it was 
with Hetty Hutter. Feeble as the immaterial portion of 
her existence was thought to be, it was sufficiently active 
to cause her to open her eyes at midnight. At that hour 
she awoke, and leaving her bed of skin and boughs, she 
walked innocently and openly to the embers of the fires, 
stirring the latter, as the coolness of the night and the 
woods, in connection with an exceedingly unsophisticated^ 
J3ed, had a little chilled her. As the flame shot up it lighted 
the swarthy countenance of the Huron on watch, whose dark 
eyes glistened under its light, like the balls of the panther 
that is pursued to his den with burning brands. But Hetty 
felt no fear, and she approached the spot where the Indian 
stood. Her movements were so natural and so perfectly de- 
void of any of the stealthiness of cunning or deception, that 
he imagined she had merely arisen on account of the cool- 
ness of the night, a common occurrence in a bivouac, and the 
one of all others, perhaps, the least likely to excite suspi- 
cion. Hetty spoke to him, but he understood no English. 
She then gazed near a minute at the sleeping captive, and 
moved slowly away in a sad and melancholy manner. 

The girl took no pains to conceal her movements. Any 
ingenious expedient of this nature, quite likely, exceeded 
her powers ; still her step w’as habitually light and scarcely 
audible. As she took the direction of the extremity of the 
point, or the place where she had landed in the first ad- 
venture, and where Hist had embarked, the sentinel saw 
her light form gradually disappear in the gloom without 
uneasiness or changing his own position. He knew that 
others were on the lookout, and he did not believe that 
one who had tv> ! , e come into the camp voluntarily, and had 
already left it openlv, would take refuge in flight. In 
short, the conduct' o*' the girl excited no more attention 


THE DEERSLAYER. ^ 


301 


than that of any person of feeble intellect would excite in 
civilized society, while her person met with more consid- 
eration and respect. 

Hetty certainly had no very distinct notions of the 
localities, but she found her way to the beach, which she 
reached on the same side of the point as that on which the 
camp had been made. By following the margin of the 
water, taking a northern direction, she soon encountered 
the Indian who paced the strand as sentinel. This was a 
young warrior, and when he heard her light tread coming 
along the gravel he approached swiftly, though with any- 
thing but menace in his manner. The darkness was so 
intense that it was not easy to discover forms, within the 
shadows of the woods, at the distance of twenty feet, and 
quite impossible to distinguish persons until near enough 
to touch them. The Huron manifested disappointment 
when he found whom he had met ; for, truly to say, he 
was expecting his favorite, who had promised to relieve 
the ennui of a midnight watch with h'er presence. This 
man was also ignorant of English, but he was at no loss to 
understand why the girl should be up at that hour. Such 
things were usual in an Indian village or camp, where 
sleep is as irregular as the meals. Then poor Hetty’s 
known imbecility, as in most things connected with the 
savages, stood her friend on this occasion. Vexed at his 
disappointment, and impatient of the presence of one he 
thought an intruder, the warrior signed for the girl to 
move forward, holding the direction of the beach. Hetty 
complied ; but as she walked away she spoke aloud in 
English, in her usual soft tones, which the stillness of the 
night rgade audible at some little distance. 

• “If you took me for a Huron girl, warrior,” she said, 
“ I don’t wonder you are so little pleased. I am Hettie 
Hutter, Thomas flutter’s daughter, and have never met 
any man at night, for mother always said it was wrong, 
and modest young women should never do it ; modest 
young women of the pale-faces, I mean ; for customs are 
different in different parts of the world, I know. No, no ; 
I’m Hettie Hutter, and wouldn’t meet even Hurry Harry, 
though he should fall down on his knees and ask me ! 
Mother said it was wrong.” 

By the time Hetty had said this, she reached the place 


302 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


where the canoes had come ashore, and, owing to the cur- 
vature of the land and the bushes, would have been com- 
pletely hid from the sight of the sentinel, had it been 
broad day. But another footstep caught the lover’s ear, 
and he was already nearly beyond the girl’s silvery voice. 
Still Hetty, bent only on her own thoughts and purposes, 
continued to speak, though the gentleness of her tones 
prevented the sounds from penetrating far into the woods. 
On the water they were more wddely diffused. 

“ Here I am, Judith,” she added, “ and there is no one 
near me. The Huron on watch is gone to meet his sweet- 
heart, who is an Indian girl, you know, and never had a 
Christian mother to tell her how wrong it is to meet a man 
at night ” 

Hetty’s voice was hushed by a “ hist ! ” that came from 
the water, and then she caught a dim view of the canoe, 
which approached noiselessly, and soon grated on the 
shingle with its bow. The moment the weight of Hetty 
was felt in the light craft, the canoe withdrew, stern fore- 
most, as if possessed of life and volition, until it was a 
hundred yards from the shore. Then it turned, and mak- 
ing a wide sweep, as much to prolong the passage as to 
get beyond the sound of voices, it held its way toward the 
ark. For several minutes nothing was uttered ; but be- 
lieving herself to be in a favorable position to confer with 
her sister, Judith, wlio alone sat in the stern, managing 
the canoe with a skill little short of that of a man, began 
a discourse, which she had been burning to commence 
ever since they quitted the point. 

‘‘Here w^e are safe, Hetty,” she said, “and may talk 
without the fear of being overheard. You must speak 
low, however, for sounds are heard far on the water in a 
still night. I w^as so close to the point, some of the time 
while you Avere on it, that I have heard the voices of the 
warriors, and I heard your shoes on the gravel of the 
beach, even before you spoke.” 

“ I don’t believe, Judith, the Hurons knoAv I have left 
them.” 

“ Quite likely they do not, for a lover makes a poor 
sentry, unless it be to watch for his sweetheart ! But tell 
me, Hetty, did you see and speak with Deerslayer ? ” 

“Oh. )es— there he Avas seated near the fire, Avith his 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


303 


legs tied, though they left his arms free to move them as 
he pleased.” 

“Well, what did he tell you, child? Speak quick ; I 
am dying to know what message he sent me.” 

“ What did he tell me ? why, what do you think, Judith ? 
he told me that he couldn’t read ! Only think of that ! a 
white man, and not know how to read his Bible, even ! 
He never could have had a mother, sister ! ” 

“ Never mind that, Hetty. All men can’t read ; though 
mother knew so much, and taught us so much, father 
knows very little about books, and he can barely read the 
Bible, you know.” 

“Oh ! I never thought fathers could read much, but 
mothers ought all to read, else how can they teach their 
children? Depend on it, Judith, Deerslayer could never 
have had a mother, else he would know how to read.” 

“ Did you tell him / sent you ashore, Hetty, and how 
much concern I feel for his misfortune ?” asked the other, 
impatiently. 

“ I believe I did, Judith ; but you know I am feeble- 
minded, and I may have forgotten. I did tell him you 
brought me ashore. And he told me a great deal that I 
was to say to you, which I remember well, for it made my 
blood run cold to hear him. He told me to say that his 
friends — I suppose you are one of them, sister ’ 

“ How can you torment me thus, Hetty ? Certainly, I 
am one of the truest friends he has on earth.” 

“ Torment you ! yes, now I remember all about it. I am 
glad you used the word, Judith, for it brings it all back to 
my mind. Well, he said he might be tormented hj the sav- 
ages, but he would try to bear it as becomes a Cliristian 
white man, and that no one need be afeard — why does 
Deerslayer call it afeard, when mother always taught us to 
say afraid ? ” 

“Never mind, dear Hetty, never mind that novc," cried 
the other, almost gasping for breath. “ Did Deerslayer 
really tell you that he thought the savages would put him 
to the torture ? Recollect now well, Hetty, for this is a 
most awful and serious thing.” 

“ Yes, he did ; and I remember it by your speaking about 
my tormenting you. Oh ! I felt very sorry for him, and 
Deerslayer took all so quietly and without noise ! Deer- 


304 


THE DEER SLA YER. 


slayer is not as handsome as Hurry Harry, Judith, but he 
is more quiet.” 

“ He’s worth a million Hurrys ! yes, he’s worth all the 
young men who ever came upon the lake put together,” 
said Judith, with an energy and positiveness that caused 
her sister to wonder. “ He is true. There is no lie about 
Deerslayer. You, Hetty, may not know what a merit it is 

in a man to have truth, but when you get no, I hope 

you will never know it. Why should one like you be ever 
made to learn the hard lesson to distrust and hate ?” 

Judith bowed her face, dark as it was, and unseen as 
she must have been by any eye but that of Omniscience, 
between her hands, and groaned. This sudden paroxysm 
of feeling, however, lasted but for a moment, and she con- 
tinued more calmly, still speaking frankly to her sister, 
whose intelligence and whose discretion in anything that 
related to herself she did not in the least distrust. Her 
voice, however, was low and husky, instead of having its 
former clearness and animation. 

“ It is a hard thing to fear truth, Hetty,” she said ; “ and 
yet do I more dread Deerslayer’s truth than any enemy ! 
One cannot tamper with such truth — so much honesty — 
such obstinate uprightness ! But we are not altogether 
unequal, sister — Deerslayer and I ? He is not altogether 
my superior ? ” 

It was not usual for Judith so far to demean herself as 
to appeal to Hetty’s judgment. Nor did she often address 
her by the title of sister, a distinction that is commonly 
given by the junior to the senior, even where there is 
perfect equality in all other respects. As trifling depart- 
ures from habitual deportment oftener strike the imagina- 
tion than more important changes, Hetty perceived the 
circumstances and wondered at them in her own simple 
.way. 

Her ambition was a little quickened, and the answer 
was as much out of the usual course of things as the ques- 
tion, the poor girl attenipting to refine beyond her strength. 

“ Superior, Judith ! ” she repeated with pride. “ In what 
can Deerslayer be your superior ? Are y^ou not mother’s 
child — and does he know how to read — and wasn’t mother 
before any woman in this part of the world ? I should 
think, so far from supposing himself your superior, he 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


305 


would hardly believe himself mitie. You are handsome 
and he is ugly- ” 

“ No, not ugly, Hetty,” interrupted Judith. “ Only 
plain. But his honest face has a look in it that is far 
better than beauty. In my eyes Deerslayer is handsomer 
than Hurry Harry.” 

“Judith Hutter ! you frighten me. Hurry is the hand- 
somest mortal in the world — even handsomer than you are 
yourself ; because a man’s good looks, you know, are al- 
ways better than a woman’s good looks.” 

This little innocent touch of natural taste did not please 
the elder sister at the moment, and she did not scruple to 
betray it. 

“ Hetty, you now speak foolishly, and had better say no 
more on this subject,” she answered. “ Hurry is not the 
handsomest mortal in the world, by many ; and there are 

officers in the garrisons ’’Judith stammered at the words 

— “ there are officers in the garrisons near us far comelier 
than he. But, why do you think me the equal of Deer- 
slayer ? — speak of that, for I do not like to see you show 
so much admiration of a man like Hurry Harry, who has 
neither feelings, manners, nor conscience. • You are too 
good for hUn, and he ought to be told it at once.” 

“Z.-' Judith, how you forget ! Why, /am not beauti- 
ful, and am feeble-minded.” 

“You 2iXQgood, Hetty, and that is more than can be said 
of Henry March. He may have a face, and a body, but he 
has no heart. But enough of this for the present. Tell 
me what raises me to an equality with Deerslayer.” 

“To think of you asking me this, Judith! He can’t 
read, and you can. He don’t know how to talk, but speaks 
worse than Hurry even ; for, sister, Harry doesn’t always 
pronounce his words right ! Did you ever notice thatt ” 

“ Certainly ; he is as coarse in speech as in everything 
else. But I fear you flatter me, Hetty, when you think 
I can be justly called the equal of a man like Deerslayer. 
It is true, I have been better taught ; in one sense am 
more comely, and perhaps might look higher ; but then 
his truth — his truth — makes a fearful difference between 
us ! Well, I will talk no more of this ; and^iwe will be- 
think us of the means of getting him out of the hands of 
the Hurons. We have father’s chest in the ark, Hetty, 
20 


3o6 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


and might try the temptation of more elephants ; though 
I fear such bawbles will not buy the liberty of a man like 
Deerslayer. I am afraid father and Hurry will not be as 
willing to ransom Deerslayer as Deerslayer was to ransom 
them ! ” 

“ Why not, Judith ? Hurry and Deerslayer are friends, 
and friends should always help one another.” 

“Alas ! poor Hetty, you little know mankind ! Seeming 
friends are often more to be dreaded than open enemies ; 
particularly by females. But you’ll have to land in the 
morning, and try again what can be done for Deerslayer. 
Tortured he not be while Juditli Hutter lives and 
can find means to prevent it.” 

The conversation now grew desultory, and was drawn 
out, until the elder sister had extracted from^the younger 
every fact that the feeble faculties of tlie latter permitted 
her to retain and to communicate. When Judith was sat- 
isfied — though she could never be said to be satisfied, 
whose feelings seemed to be so interwoven with all that 
related to the .subject as to have excited a nearly inap- 
peasable curiosity — but when Judith could think of no 
more questions to ask without resorting to repetition, the 
canoe was paddled toward the scow. The intense dark- 
ness of the night and the deep shadows which the hills 
and forest cast upon the water rendered it difficult to find 
the vessel, anchored, as it had been, as close to tlie shore 
as a regard to safety rendered prudent. Judith was expert 
in the management of a bark canoe, the lightness of which 
demanded skill rather than strength ; and she forced her 
own little vessel swiftly over the water, the moment she 
had ended her conference with Hetty and had come to the 
determination to return. Still no ark was seen. Several 
times the sisters fancied they saw it looming up in the 
obscurity, like a low black rock, but on each occasion it 
was found to be either an optical illusion or some swell 
of the foliage on the shore. After a search that lasted 
half an hour, the girls were forced to the unwelcome con- 
viction that the ark had departed. 

Most young women would have felt the awkwardness 
of their situfltion, in a physical sense, under the circum- 
stances in which the sisters were left, more than any ap- 
prehensions of a different nature. Not so with Judith, 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


307 


however; and even Hetty felt more concern about the 
motives that might have influenced her father and Hurry 
than any fears for her own safety. 

“It cannot be, Hetty,” said Judith, when a thorough 
search had satisfied them both that no ark was to be 
found — “it cannot be that the Indians have rafted, or 
swum off, and surprised our friends as they slept ?” 

“ I don’t believe that Hist and Chingachgook would 
sleep until they had told each other all they had to say, 
after so long a separation — do you, sister ? ” 

“ Perhaps not, child. There was much to keep them 
awake, but one Indian may have been surprised even 
when not asleep, especially as his thoughts may have been 
on other things. Still we should have heard a noise ; for 
in a night like this an oath of Hurry Harry’s would have 
echoed in the eastern hills like a clap of thunder.” 

“ Hurry is sinful and thoughtless about his words, 
Judith,” Hetty meekly and sorrowfully answered. 

“ No — no ; ’tis impossible the ark could be taken and I 
not hear the noise. It is not an hour since I left it and 
the whole time I have been attentive to the smallest sound. 
And yet, it is not easy to believe a father would willingly 
abandon his children ! ” 

“ Perhaps father has thought us in our cabin asleep, 
Judith, and has moved away to go home. You know we 
often move the ark in the night.” 

“This is true, Hetty, and it must be as you suppose. 
There is a little more southern air than there w^as, and 
they have gone up the lake ” 

Judith stopped, for as the last word was on her tongue 
the scene was suddenly lighted, though only for a single 
instant, bv a flash. The crack of a rifle succeeded, and 
then followed the roll of the echo along the eastern moun- 
tains. Almost at the same moment a piercing female cry 
arose in the air in a prolonged shriek. The awful stillness 
that succeeded was, if possible, more appalling than the 
fierce and sudden interruption of the deep silence of mid- 
night. Resolute as she was, both by nature and habit, Ju- 
dith scarce breathed, w’hile poor Hetty hid her face and 
trembled. 

“ That was a woman’s cry, Hetty,” said the former, sol- 
emnly, “and It was a cry of anguish! If the ark has 


3o8 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


moved from the spot, it can only have gone north with 
this air, and the gun and shriek came from the point. 
Can anything have befallen Hist ? ” 

“ Let us go and see, Judith ; she may want our assist- 
ance — for, besides herself, there are none but men in the 
ark.” 

It was not a moment for hesitation, and ere Judith had 
ceased speaking her paddle was in the water. The dis- 
tance to the point, in a direct line, was not great, and the 
impulses under which the girls worked were too exciting 
to allow them to waste the precious moments in useless 
precautions. They paddled incautiously for them, but the 
same excitement kept others from noting their movements. 
Presently a glare of light caught the eye of Judith through 
an opening in the bushes, and steering by it, she so di- 
rected the canoe as to keep it visible, while she got as near 
the land as was either prudent or necessary. 

The scene that was now presented to the observation of 
the girls was within the woods, on the side of the declivity 
so often mentioned, and in plain view from the boat. 
Here all in the camp were collected, some six or eight 
carrying torches of fat-pine, wdiich cast a strong but fune- 
real light on all beneath the arches of the forest. With her 
back supported against a tree, and sustained on one side 
by the young sentinel whose remissness had suffered Hetty 
to escape, sat the female whose expected visit had produced 
his delinquency. By the glare of the torch that was held 
near her face, it was evident that she was in the agonies of 
death, while the blood that trickled from her bared bosom 
betrayed the nature of the injuries she had received. The 
pungent, peculiar smell of gunpowder, too, was still quite 
perceptible in the heavy, damp night air. There could be 
no question that she had been shot. Judith understood it 
all at a glance. The streak of light had appeared on the 
w'ater a short distance from the point, and either the rifle 
had been discharged from a canoe hovering near the land, 
or it had been fired from the ark in passing. An incautious 
exclamation or laugh may have produced the assault, for 
it was barely possible that the aim had been assisted by 
any other agent than sound. As to the effect, that was 
soon still more apparent, the head of the victim dropping 
and the body sinking in death. Then all the torches but 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


309 


one were extinguished — a measure of prudence ; and the 
melancholy train that bore the body to the camp was just 
to be distinguished by the glimmering light that remained. 

Judith sighed heavily and shuddered as her paddle again 
dipped, and the canoe moved cautiously around the point. 
A sight had afflicted her senses, and now haunted her im- 
agination, that was still harder to be borne than even the 
untimely fate and passing agony of the deceased girl. She 
had seen, under the strong glare of the torches, the erect 
form of Deerslayer, standing with commiseration, and, as 
she thought, with shame depicted on his countenance, near 
the dying female. He betrayed neither fear nor backward- 
ness himself ; but it was apparent by the glances cast at him 
by the various warriors that fierce passions were struggling 
in their bosoms. All this seemed to be unheeded by the 
captive, but it remained impressed on the memory of Ju- 
dith throughout the night. 

No canoe was met hovering near the point. A stillness 
and darkness, as complete as if the silence of the forest had 
never been disturbed, or the sun had never shone on that 
retired region, now reigned on the point and on the gloomy 
water, the slumbering woods and even the murky sky. No 
more could be done, therefore, but seek a place of safety ; 
and this was only to be found in the centre of the lake. 
Paddling, in silence, to that spot, the canoe was suffered 
to drift northerly, while the girls sought such repose as 
their situation and feelings would permit. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

“Stand to your arms, and guard the door — all’s lost 
Unless that fearful bell be silenced soon. 

The officer hath missed his path, or purpose, 

Or met some unforeseen and hideous obstacle. 

Anselmo, with thy company proceed 

Straight to the tower ; the rest remain with me.” 

— Marino Faliero. 

The conjecture of Judith Hutter concerning the man- 
ner in which the Indian girl had met her death was accu- 
rate in the main. After sleeping several hours her father 
and March awoke. This occurred a few minutes after she 


310 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


had left the ark to go in quest of her sister, and when of 
course Chingachgook and his betrothed were on board. 
From the Delaware the old man learned the position of 
the camp and the recent events, as well as the absence of 
his daughters. The latter gave him no concern ; for he 
relied greatly on the sagacity of the eldest and the known 
impunity with which the younger passed among the sav- 
ages. Long familiarity with danger, too, had blunted his 
sensibilities. Nor did he seem much to regret the captiv- 
ity of Deerslayer ; for while he knew how material his aid 
might be in a defence, the difference in their views on the 
morality of the woods had not left much sympathy between 
them. He would have rejoiced to know the position of 
the camp before it had been alarmed by the escape of Hist, 
but it would be too hazardous now to venture to land ; and 
he reluctantly relinquished for the night the ruthless de- 
signs that captivity and revenge had excited him to enter- 
tain. In this mood Hutter took a seat at the head of the 
scow, where he was quickly joined by Hurry, leaving the 
Serpent and Hist in quiet possession of the other extremity 
of the vessel. 

“ Deerslayer has shown himself a boy in going among 
the savages at this hour, and letting himself fall into their 
hands like a deer that tumbles into a pit,” growled the 
old man, perceiving as usual the mote in his neighbor’s 
eyes, while he overlooked the beam in his own. “If he is 
left to pay for his stupidity with his own flesh, he can blame 
no one but himself.” 

“That’s the way of the world. Old Tom,” returned 
Hurry. “Every man must meet his own debts and an- 
swer for his own sins. I’m amazed, however, that a lad as 
skilful and as watchful as Deerslayer should have been 
caught in such a trap ! Didn’t he know any better than 
to go prowling about a Huron camp at midnight, with no 
place to retreat to but the lake ? or did he think himself a 
buck, that by taking to the water he could throw off the 
scent and swim himself out of difficulty? I had a better 
opinion of the boy’s judgment. I’ll own ; but we must over- 
look a little ignorance in a raw hand. I say. Master Hut- 
ter, do you happen to know what has become of the gals ? I 
see no sign of Judith or Hetty, though I’ve been through 
the ark and looked into all its living creatur’s. ^ 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


3Y1 

Hutter briefly explained the manner in which his daugh- 
ters had taken to the canoe, as it had been related by the 
Delaware, as well as the return of Judith, after landing her 
sister, and her second departure. 

“This comes of a smooth tongue. Floating Tom,” ex- 
claimed Hurry, grating his teeth in pure resentment — 
“this comes of a smooth tongue and a silly girl’s inclina- 
tions — and you had best look into the matter ! You and I 
were both prisoners ” — Hurry could recall that circum- 
stance naw — “you and I were both prisoners, and yet Ju- 
dith never stirred an inch to do us any sarvice ! She is 
bewitched with this lank-looking Deerslayer, and he, and 
she, and you, and all of us, had best look to it. I am not 
a man to put up with such a wrong quietly, and do say, 
all the parties had best look to it ! Let’s up kedge, old 
fellow, and move nearer to this point and see how matters 
are getting on.” 

Hutter had no objection to this movement, and the ark 
was got under way in the usual manner, care being taken 
to make no noise. The wind was passing northward, 
and the sail soon swept the scow so far up the lake as to 
render the dark outlines of the trees that clothed the 
point dimly visible. Floating Tom steered, and he sailed 
along as near the land as the depth of the water and the 
overhanging branches would allow. It was impossible to 
distinguish anything that stood within the shadows of the 
shore ; but the forms of the sail and of the hut were dis- 
cerned by the young sentinel on the beach who has been 
already mentioned. In the moment of sudden surprise a 
deep Indian exclamation escaped him. In the spirit of 
recklessness and ferocity that formed the essence of 
Hurry’s character, this man dropped his rifle and fired. 
The ball was sped by accident, or by that overruling Prov- 
idence which decides the fate of all, and the girl fell. 
Then followed the scene with the torches which has just 
been described. 

At the precise moment when Harry committed this act 
of unthinking cruelty, the canoe of Judith was within a 
hundred feet of the spot from which the ark had so lately 
moved. Her own course has been described, and it has 
now become our office to follow that of her father and his 
companions. The shriek announced the effect of the ran- 


312 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


dom shot of March, and it also proclaimed that the victim 
was a woman. Hurry himself was startled at these un- 
looked-for consequences, and for a moment he was sorely 
disturbed by conflicting sensations. At first he laughed, 
in reckless and rude-minded exultation ; and then con- 
science,* tfife,t monitor planted in our breasts by God, and 
which receives its more general growth from the training 
bestowed in the tillage of childhood, shot a pang to his 
heart. For a minute the mind of this creature, equally of 
civilization and barbarism, was a sort of chaos as to feel- 
ing, not knowing what to think of its own act ; and then 
the obstinacy and pride of one of his habits interposed to 
assert their usual ascendancy. He struck the butt of his 
rifle on the bottom of the scow with a species of defiance, 
and began to whistle a low air with an affectation of in- 
diflfbrenpe. All this t|^‘e the ark was in motion, and it was 
already opening the bay above the point, and was conse- 
quently quitting the land. 

Hurry’s companions did not view his conduct with the 
same indulgence as that with which he appeared disposed 
to regard it himself. Hutter growled out his dissatisfac- 
tion, for the act led to no advantage, while it threatened 
to render the warfare more vindictive than ever ; and none 
censure motiveless departures from the right more se- 
verely than the mercenary and unprincipled. Still he 
commanded himself, the captivity of Deerslayer rendering 
the arm of the offender of double consequence to him at 
that moment. Chingachgook arose, and for a single in- 
stant the ancient animosity of tribes was forgotten in a 
feeling of color ; but he recollected himself in season to 
prevent any of the fierce consequences that for a passing 
moment he certainly meditated. Not so with Hist. Rush- 
ing through the hut, or cabin, the girl stood at the side of 
Hurry almost as soon as his rifle touched the bottom of 
the scow ; and with a fearlessness that did credit to her 
heart, she poured out her reproaches with the generous 
warmth of a woman. 

“What for you shoot ?” she said. “What Huron gal 
do, dat you kill him ? What you t’ink Manitou say ? What 
you t’ink Manitou feel ? What Iroquois do ? No get honor 
— no get camp— no get prisoner — no get battle — no get 
scalp — no get not’ing at all. Blood come after blood ! 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


313 


How you feci your wife killed ? Who pity you when tear 
come for moder or sister? You big as great pine — Hu- 
,ron gal little slender birch — why you fall on her and 
crush her? You t’ink Huron forget it^ No; red-skin 
never forget. Never forget friend ; never forget enemy. 
Red man Manitou in dat. Why you so wicked, great pale- 
face ? ” 

Hurry had never been so daunted as by this close and 
warm attack of the Indian girl. It is true that she had a 
powerful ally in his conscience ; and while she spoke ear- 
nestly, it was in tones so feminine as to deprive him of any 
pretext for unmanly anger. The softness of her voice 
added to the weight of her remonstrance by lending to the 
latter an air of purity and truth. Like most vulgar-minded 
men, he had only regarded the Indians through the medium 
of their coarser and fiercer characteristics. It had never 
struck him that the affections are human ; that even high 
principles — modified by habits and prejudices, but not the 
less elevated within their circle — can exist in the savage 
state * and that the warrior who is most ruthless in the 
field can submit to the softest and gentlest influences in 
the moments of domestic quiet. In a word, it was the 
habit of his mind to regard all Indians as being only a 
slight degree removed from the wild beasts that roamed 
the woods, and to feel disposed to treat them accordingly 
whenever interest or caprice supplied a motive or an 
impulse. Still, though daunted by these reproaches the 
handsome barbarian could hardly be said to be penitent. 
He was too much rebuked by conscience to suffer an out- 
break of temper to escape him ; and perhaps he felt that 
he had already committed an act that might justly bring 
his manhood in question. Instead af resenting or answer- 
ing the simple but natural appeal of Hist, he walked away 
like one who disdained entering into a controversy with a 
woman. 

In the meanwhile the ark swept onward, and by the 
time the scene with the torches was enacting beneath the 
trees, it had reached the open lake ; Floating Tom causing 
it to sheer further from the land with a sort of instinctive 
dread of retaliation. An hour now passed in gloomy si- 
lence, no one appearing disposed to break it. Hist had re- 
tired to her pallet, and Chingachgook lay sleeping in the 


3^4 


THE BE EE SLA FEE., 


forward part of the scow. Hutter and Hurry alone remained 
awake, the former at the steering-oar, while the latter 
brooded over his own conduct with the stubbornness of. 
one little given to a confession of his errors and the secret 
goadings of the worm that never dies. This was at the 
moment when Judith and Hetty reached the centre of the 
lake, and had lain down to endeavor to sleep in their drift- 
ing canoe. 

The night was calm, though much obscured bv clouds. 
The season was not one of storms, and those which did 
occur in the month of June on that embedded water, 
though frequently violent, were always of short continu- 
ance. Nevertheless, there was the usual current of heavy, 
damp night air, which, passing over the summits of the 
trees, scarcely appeared to descend so low as the surface 
of the glassy lake, but kept moving a short distance above 
it, saturated with the humidity that constantly arose from 
the woods, and apparently never proceeding far in any one 
direction. The currents were influenced by the formation 
of the hills, as a matter of course — a circumstance that 
rendered even fresh breezes baffling, and which reduced 
the feebler efforts of the night air to be a sort of capricious 
and fickle sighings of the woods. Several times the head 
of the ark pointed east, and once it actually turned toward 
the south again ; but, on the whole, it worked its way 
north, Hutter making ahvays a fair wind, if wind it could be 
called, his principal motive appearing to be a wish to keep 
in motion in order to defeat any treacherous design of 
his enemies. He now felt some little concern about his 
daughters, and perhaps as much about the canoe ; but, on 
the whole, this uncertainty did not much disturb him, as 
he had the reliance already mentioned on the intelligence 
of Judith. 

It was the season of the shortest nights, and it was not 
long before the deep obscurity which precedes the day be- 
gan to yield to the returning light. If any earthly scene 
could be presented to the senses of man that might soothe 
his passions and temper his ferocity, it was that which 
grew upon the eyes of Hutter and Hurry as the hours ad- 
vanced, changing night to morning. There were the usual 
soft tints of the sky in which neither the gloom of dark- 
ness nor the brilliancy of the sun prevails, and under which 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


315 


objects appear more unearthly, and, we might add, holy, 
than at any other portion of the twenty-four hours. The 
beautiful and soothing calm of even-tide has been extolled 
by a thousand poets, and yet it does not bring with it the 
far-reaching and sublime thoughts of the half-hour that 
precedes the rising of a summer’s sun. In the one case 
the panorama is gradually hid from the sight, while in the 
other its objects start out from the unfolding picture, first 
dim and misty, then marked in, in solemn background; 
next seen in the witchery of an incf^easing, a thing as dif- 
ferent as possible from the decreasing twilight, and finally 
mellow, distinct, and luminous as the rays of the great 
centre of light diffuse themselves in the atmosphere. The 
hymns of birds, too, have no novel counterpart in the re- 
treat to the roost or the flight to the nest ; and these in- 
variably accompany the advent of the day until the ap- 
pearance of the sun itself 

“Bathes in deep joy the land and sea.” 

All this, however, Hutter and Hurry witnessed without 
experiencing any of that calm delight which the spectacle 
is wont to bring when the thoughts are just and the aspi- 
rations pure. They not only witnessed it, but they wit- 
nessed it under circumstances that had a tendency to in- 
crease its power and to heighten its charms. Only one 
solitary object became visible in the returning light, that 
had received its form or uses from human taste or human 
desires, which as often deform as beautify a landscape. 
This was the castle ; all the rest being native, and fresh 
from the hand of God. That singular residence, too, was 
in keeping with the natural objects of the view, starting 
out from the gloom, quaint, picturesque, ^nd ornamental. 
Nevertheless, the whole was lost on the observers, who 
knew no feeling of poetry, had lost their sense of natural 
devotion in lives of obdurate and narrow selfishness, and 
had little other sympathy with Nature than that which 
originated with her lowest wants. 

As soon as the light was sufficiently strong to allow of 
a distinct view of the lake, and more particularly of its 
shores, Hutter turned the head of the ark directly toward 
the castle, with the avowed intention of taking possession 


3i6 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


for the day at least, as the place most favorable for meet- 
ing his daughters and for carrying on his operations 
against the Indians. By this time Chingachgook was up, 
and Hist was heard stirring among the furniture of the 
kitchen. The place for which they steered was distant 
only a mile, and the air was sufficiently favorable to permit 
it to be neared by means of the sail. At this moment, too, 
to render the appearances generally auspicious, the canoe 
of Judith was seen floating northward in the broadest part 
of the lake, having actually passed the scow in the dark- 
ness, in obedience to no other power than that of the ele- 
ments. Hutter got his glass and took a long and anxious 
survey to ascertain if his daughters were in the light craft 
or not ; and a slight exclamation like that of joy escaped 
him as he caught a glimpse of what he rightly conceived 
to be apart of Judith’s dress above the top of the canoe. 
At the next instant the girl arose and was seen gazing 
about her, like one assuring herself of her situation. A 
minute later Hetty was seen on hei; knees, in the other end 
of the canoe, repeating the prayers that had been taught 
her in childhood by a misguided but repentant mother. 
As Hutter laid down the glass, still drawn to its focus, the 
Serpent raised it to his eye and turned it toward the canoe. 
It was the first time he had ever used such an instrument, 
and Hist understood by his “ Hugh ! ” the expression of 
his face, and his entire mien, that something wonderful 
had excited his admiration. It is well known that the 
American Indians, more particularly those of superior 
character and stations, singularly maintain their self-pos- 
session and stoicism in the midst of the flood of marvels 
that present themselves in their occasional visits to the 
abodes of civilization ; and Chingachgook had imbibed 
enough of thigdimpassibility to suppress any very undig- 
nified manifestations of surprise. With Hist, however, 
no such law was binding, and when her lover managed to 
bring the glass in a line with the canoe, and her eye was 
applied to the smaller end, the girl started back in alarm ; 
then she clapped her hands with delight, and a laugh, the 
usual attendant of untutored admiration, followed. A few 
minutes sufficed to enable this quick-witted girl to man- 
age the instrument for herself, and she directed it at every 
prominent object that struck her fancy. Finding a rest 


THE DEEKSLA YER. 


317 


in one of the windows, she and the Delaware first surveyed 
the lake, then the shores, the hills, and finally the castle 
attracted their attention. After a long, steady gaze at the 
latter, Hist took away her eye, and spoke to her lover in a 
low’, earnest manner. Chingachgook immediately placed 
his eye to the glass, and his look even exceeded that of his 
betrothed in length and intensity. Again they spoke to- 
gether confidentially, appearing to compare opinions, after 
which the glass was laid aside, and the young warrior 
quirted the cabin to join Mutter and Hurry, 

The ark was slowly but steadily advancing, and the . 
castle was materially within half a mile, when Chingach- 
gook joined the tw’o white men in the stern of the scow. 
His manner was calm, but it was evident to the others, 
who were familiar with the habits of the Indians, that he 
had something to communicate. Hurry was generally 
prompt to speak, and, according to custom, he took the 
lead on this occasion. 

“Out with it, red-skin,” he cried, in his usual rough 
manner. “ Have you discovered a chipmunk in a tree, or 
is there a salmon-trout swimming under the bottom of the 
scow? You find what a pale-face can do in the way of 
eyes, now, Sarpent, and mustn’t wonder that they can see 
the land of the Indians from afar off.” 

“No good to go to castle,” put in Chingachgook with 
emphasis, the moment the other gave him an opportunity 
of speaking. “ Huron there.” 

“The devil he is ! If this should turn out to be true. 
Floating Tom, a pretty trap were w’e about tp pull down 
on our heads! Huron there ! well, this may be so ; but no 
signs can I see of anything near or about the old hut but 
logs, water, and bark — ’bating two or three windows and 
one door.” 

Hutter called for the glass and took a careful survey of 
the spot before he ventured an opinion at all ; then he 
somewhat cavalierly expressed his dissent from that given 
by the Indian. 

“You’ve got this glass wrong end foremost, Delaware,” 
continued Hurry ; “ neither the old man nor I can see any 
trail in the lake.” 

“No trail — water make no trail,” said Hist, eagerly. 

“ Stop boat — no go too near — Huron there ! ” 


THE DEERS LA YER. 


31S 

“ Ay, that’s it ! Stick to the same tale and more people 
will believe you. I hope, Sarpent, you and your gal will 
agree in telling the same story arter marriage as well as 
you do now. Huron there — whereabouts is he to be seen — 
in the padlock, or the chains, or the logs ? There isn’t a 
jail in the colony that has a more lock-up look about it 
than old Tom’s chiente ; and I know something about jails 
from exper’ence.” 

“No see moccasin?” said Hist, impatiently ; “why no 
look and see him ? ” 

“ Give me the glass, Harry,” interrupted Hutter, “and 
lower the sail. It is seldom that an Indian woman med- 
dles, and when she does there is generally a cause for it. 
There A, truly, a moccasin floating against one of the piles ; 
and it may or may not be a sign that the castle hasn’t escaped 
visitors in our absence. Moccasins are no rarities, how- 
ever, for I wear ’em myself, and Deerslayer wears ’em, and 
you wear ’em, March ; and for that matter, so does Hetty, 
quite as often as she does shoes ; though I never yet saw 
Judith trust her pretty foot in a moccasin.” 

Hurry had lowered the sail, and by this time the ark 
was within two hundred yards of the castle, setting in 
nearer and nearer each moment, but at a rate too slow to 
excite any uneasiness. Each now took the glass in turn, 
and the castle and everything near it was subjected to a 
" scrutiny still more rigid than ever. There the moccasin 
lay, beyond a question, floating so lightly and preserving 
its form so well that it was scarcely wet. It had caught 
by a piece of the rough bark of one of the piles on the 
exterior of the water-palisade that formed the dock al- 
ready mentioned, which circumstance alone prevented it 
from drifting away before the air. There were many 
modes, however, of accounting for the presence of the 
moccasin without supposing it to liave been dropped by 
an enemy. It might have fallen from tlie platform even 
while Hutter was in possession of the place, and drifted to 
the spot where it was now seen, remaining unnoticed until 
detected by the acute vision of Hist. It might have drifted 
from a distance, up or down the lake, and accidentally be- 
come attached to the pile or palisade. It might have 
been thrown from a window and alighted in that particu- 
lar place ; or it might certainly have fallen from a scout 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


319 


or an assailant during the past night, who was obliged to 
abandon it to the lake in the deep obscurity which then 
prevailed. 

All these conjectures passed from Hutter to Hurry, the 
former appearing disposed to regard the omen as a little 
sinister, while the latter treated it with his usual reckless 
disdain. As for the Indian, he was of opinion that the 
moccasin should be viewed as one would regard a trail in 
the woods which might or might not equally prove to be 
threatening. Hist, however, had something available to 
propose. She declared her readiness to take a canoe to 
proceed to the palisade and bring away tlie moccasin, 
when its ornaments would show whether it came from the 
Canadas or not. Both the white men were disposed to 
accept this offer ; but the Delaware interfered to prevent 
' the risk. If such a service was to be undertaken, it best 
became a warrior to expose himself in its execution ; and 
he gave his refusal to let his betrothed proceed, much in 
the quiet but brief manner in which an Indian husband 
issues his commands. 

“Well, then, Delaware, go yourself if you’re so tender 
of your squaw,” put in the unceremonious Hurry. “That 
moccasin must be had, or Floating Tom will keep off here 
at arm’s length till the hearth cools in his cabin. It’s but 
a little deer-skin after all, and cut this-a-way or that-a-way, 
it’s not a skear-crow to frighten true hunters from their 
game. What say you, Sarpent, shall you or I canoe it ? ” 

“Let red man go. Better eyes than pale-face— know 
Huron trick better, too.” 

“ That I’ll gainsay to the hour of my death ! A white 
man’s eyes, and a white man’s nose, and for that matter 
his sight and ears, are all better than an Injin’s when fairly 
tried. Time and ag’in have I put that to the proof, and 
what is proved is sartin. Still I suppose the poorest vaga- 
bond going, whether Delaware or Huron, can find histvay 
to yonder hut and back ag’in ; and so, Sarpent, use your 
paddle and welcome.” 

Chingachgook was already in the canoe, and he dipped 
the implement the other named, into the water, just as 
Hurry's limber tongue ceased. Wah-ta !-Wah saw the de- 
parture of her warrior on this occasion with the submis- 
sive silence of an Indian girl, but with most of the mis- 


320 


THE DEEKSLAVER. 


givings and apprehensions of her sex. Throughout the 
whole of the past night, and down to the moment when 
they used the glass together in the hut, Chingachgook 
had manifested as much manly tenderness toward his 
betrothed as one of the most refined sentiments could have 
shown under similar circumstances ; but now every sign 
of weakness was lost in an appearance of stern resolution. 
Although Hist timidly endeavored to catch his eye, as the 
canoe left the side of the ark the pride of a warrior would 
not permit him to meet her fond and anxious looks. The 
canoe departed, and not a wandering glance rewarded her 
solicitude. 

Nor were the Delaware’s care and gravity misplaced, 
under the impressions with which he proceeded on this 
enterprise. If the enemy had really gained possession of 
the building, he was obliged to put himself under the 
very muzzles of their rifles, as it were, and this, too, with- 
out the protection of any of that cover which forms so 
essential an ally in Indian warfare. It is scarcely possi- 
ble to conceive of a service more dangerous, and had the 
Serpent been fortified by the experience of ten more years, 
or had his friend the Deerslayerbeen present, it never would 
have been attempted ; the advantages in no degree com- 
pensating for the risk. But the pride of an Indian cliief 
was acted on by the rivalry of color ; and it is not unlikely 
that the presence of the very creature from whom his 
ideas of manhood prevented his receiving a single glance, 
overflowing as he was with the love she so well merited, 
had no small influence on his determination. 

Chingachgook paddled steadily toward the palisades, 
keeping his eye on the different loops of the building. 
Each instant he expected to see the muzzle of a rifle pro- 
truded, or to hear its sharp crack, but he succeeded in 
reaching the piles in safety. Here he was, in a measuie, 
protected, having the heads of the palisades between him 
and the hut ; and the chances of any attempt on his life, 
while thus covered, were greatly diminished. The canoe 
had reached the piles with its head inclined northward, 
and at a short distance from the moccasin. Instead of 
turning to pick up the latter, the Delaware slowly made 
the circuit of the whole building, deliberately examining 
every object that should betray the presence of enemies. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


321 


or the commission of violence. Not a single sign could 
be discovered, however, to confirm the suspicions that had 
been awakened. The stillness of desertion pervaded the 
building; not a fastening was displaced; not a window 
had been broken. The door looked as secure as at the 
hour when it was closed by Hutter, and even the gate of 
tlie dock had all the customary fastenings. In short, the 
most weary and jealous eye could detect no other evidence 
of the visit of enemies than that which was connected with 
tiie appearance of the floating moccasin. 

Tlie Delaware was now greatly at a loss how to proceed. 
At one momen^t, as he came round in front of the castle, 
he was on the point of stepping upon the platform, and 
applying his eye to one of the loops, with a view of taking 
a direct personal inspection of the state of things within ; 
but he hesitated. Though of little experience in such 
matters himself, he had heard so much of Indian artifices 
through traditions, had listened with such breathless inter- 
est to the narration of the escapes of tlie elder warriors, 
and, in short, was so well schooled in the theory of his 
calling, that it was almost as impossible for him to make 
any gross blunder on such an occasion as it Avas for a well- 
grounded scholar, who had commenced correctly, to fail 
in solving his problem in mathematics. Relinquishing the 
momentary intention to land, the chief slowly pursued his 
course round the palisades. As he approached the moc- 
casin, having now nearly completed the circuit of the build- 
ing, he threw the ominous article into the canoe by a dex- 
terous and almost imperceptible movement of his paddle. 
He was now ready to depart; but retreat was even more 
dangerous than the approach, as the eye could no longer 
be riveted on the loops. If there was really any one in 
the castle, the motive of the Delaware in reconnoitring 
must be understood ; and it was the wisest way, however 
perilous it might be, to retire with an air of confidence, as 
if all distrust were terminated by the examination. Such, 
accordingly, was the course adopted by the Indian, Avho 
paddled deliberately away, taking the direction of the ark, 
suffering no nervous impulse to quicken the motions of 
his arms, or to induce him to turn even a furtive glance 
be bind him. 

No <-ender wife, reared in the refinements of the highest 
21 


322 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


civilization, ever met a husband on his return from the field 
with more of sensibility in her countenance than Hist dis- 
covered, as she saw the Great Serpent of the Delawares 
step, unharmed, into the ark. Still she repressed her emo- 
tions, though tlie joy that sparkled in her dark eyes, and 
the smile that lighted her pretty mouth, spoke a language 
that her betrothed could understand. 

“Well, Sarpent,” cried Hurry, always the first to speak, 
“what news from the Muskrats? Did they show their 
teeth as you surrounded their dwelling ? “ 

“I no like him,” sententiously returned the Delaw’are. 
“Too still. So still, can see silence !” 

“That’s downright Injin — as if anything could make 
less noise than nothing! If you’ve no better reason than 
this to give, old Tom iiad better hoist his sail, and go and 
get his breakfast under his own roof. What has become 
of the moccasin ?” 

“ Here ! ” returned Chingachgook, holding up his prize 
for the general inspection. 

The moccasin was examined, and Hist confidently pro- 
nounced it to be Huron, by the manner in which the por- 
cupine’s quills were arranged on its front. H utter, and 
the Delaware, too, were decidedly of the same opinion. 
Admitting all this, however, it did not necessarily follow 
that its owners were in the castle. The moccasin might 
have drifted from a distance, or it might have fallen from 
the foot of some scout, who had quitted the place when 
his. errand was accomplished. In short, it explained noth- 
ing, while it awakened so much distrust. 

Under the circumstances, Hutter and Hurry w^ere not 
men to be long deterred from proceeding, by proofs as 
slight as that of the moccasin. They hoisted the sail 
again, and the ark was soon in motion, heading toward 
the castle. The wind, or air, continued light, and the 
movement was sufficiently slow to allow of a deliberate 
survey of the building as the scow approached. 

The same death-like silence reigned, and it was difficult 
to fancy that anything possessing animal life could be in 
or around the place. Unlike the Serpent, whose imaglr. x- 
tibn had acted through his traditions until he was idy 
to perceive an artificial in a natural stillness, the otlu^rs awy 
nothing to apprehend in a tranquillity that, in truth, more- 


7' HR DEERSLAVER. 


323 


ly denoted the repose of inanimate objects. The acces- 
sories of the scene, too, were soothing and calm, rather 
than exciting. The day had not yet advanced so far as to 
bring the sun above the horizon, but the lieavens, the at- 
mosphere, and the woods and lake were all seen under 
that softened light which immediately precedes his ap- 
pearance, and which, perhaps, is the most witching period 
of the four-and-twenty hours. It is the moment when 
everything is distinct, even the atmosphere seeming to 
possess a liquid lucidity, the hues appearing gray and soft- 
ened, with the outlines of objects diffused, and the per- 
spective just as moral truths, that are presented in their 
simplicity without the meretricious aids of*ornament or 
glitter. In a word, it is the moment when the senses 
seem to recover their powers in the simplest and most ac- 
curate forms, like the mind emerging from the obscurity 
of doubts into the tranquillity and peace of demonstration. 
Most of the influence that such a scene is apt to produce 
on those who are properly constituted in a moral sense, 
was lost on Hutter and Hurry ; but both the Delawares, 
though too much accustomed to witness the loveliness of 
morning tide to stop to analyze their feelings, were equal- 
ly sensible of the beauties of the hour, though it was prob- 
ably in a way unknown to themselves. It disposed the 
young warrior to peace ; and never had he felt less long- 
ings for the glory of the combat than when he joined 
Hist in the cabin, the instant the scow rubbed against the 
side of the platform. From the indulgence of such gen- 
tle emotions, however, he was aroused by a rude summons 
from Hurry, who called on him to come forth and help 
take in the sail and to secure the ark. 

Chingachgook obeyed ; and by the time he had reached 
the head of the scow, Hurry was on the platform stamp- 
ing his feet, like one glad to touch what, by comparison, 
might be called terra jirina, and proclaiming his indiffer- 
ence to the whole Huron tribe, in his customary noisy, 
dogmatical manner. Hutter had hauled a canoe up to 
the head of the scow, and was already about to undo the 
fastenings of the gate, in order to enter within the dock. 
March had no other motive in landing than a senseless 
bravado, and, having shaken the door in a manner to put 
its soliciitv to the proof, he joined Hutter in the canoe, and 


324 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


began to aid him in opening the“ gate. The reader will 
remember that this mode of entrance was rendered neces- 
sary by the manner in which the owner of this singular 
residence habitually secured it whenever it was left 
empty ; more particularly at moments when danger was 
apprehended. Hutter had placed a line in the Dela- 
ware's hand, on entering the canoe, intimating that the 
other was to fasten the ark to the platform and to lower 
the sail. Instead of following these directions, however, 
Chingachgook left the sail standing, and throwing tlie 
bight of the rope over the head of a pile, he permitted the 
ark to drift round until it lay against the defences in a po- 
sition where it could be entered only by means of a boat, 
or by passing along the summits of the palisades ; the lat- 
ter being an exploit that required some command of the 
feet, and which was not to be attempted in the face of a 
resolute enemy. 

In consequence of this change in the position of the 
scow, which was effected before Hutter had succeeded in 
opening the gate of his dock, the ark and the castle lay, 
as sailors would express it, yard-arm and yard-arm, kept 
asunder some ten or twelve feet by means of the piles. 
As the scow pressed close against the latter, their tops 
formed a species of breastwork that rose to the height of a 
man’s head, covering in a certain degree the parts of the 
scow that were not protected by the cabin. The Delaware 
surveyed this arrangement with great satisfaction, and, as 
the canoe of Hutter passed through the gate into the dock, 
he thought that he might defend his position against any 
garrison in the castle, for a sufficient time, could he but 
have had the helping arm of his friend, Deerslayer. As it 
was, he felt comparativ-ely secure, and no longer suffered 
the keen apprehensions he had lately experienced in be- 
half of Hist. 

A single shove sent the canoe from the gate to the trap 
beneath the castle. Here Hutter found all fast, neither 
padlock, nor chain, nor bar, having been molested. The 
key was produced, the locks removed, the chain loosened, 
and the trap pushed upward. Harry now thrust his head 
in at the opening ; the arms followed, and the colossal legs 
Yose without any apparent effort. At the next instant, his 
heavy foot was heard stamping in the passage above : chat 


I'HR DEERSLA YER. 


3^5 


wliich separated the chambers of the father and daughters, 
and into which the trap opened. He then gave a sliout of 
triumph. 

“Come on, old Tom,” the reckless woodsman called out 
from within the building ; “ here’s your tenement, safe 
and sound ; ay, and as empty as a nut that has passed half 
an hour in the paws of a squirrel. The Delaware brags of 
being able to see silence ; let him come here, and he may 
feel it in the bargain.” 

“Any silence where you are. Hurry Harry,” returned 
H utter, thrusting liis head in at the hole, as he uttered the 
last word, which instantly caused his voice to sound 
smothered to those without — “ any silence where you are 
ought to be both seen and felt, for it’s unlike any other si- 
lence.” 

“Come, come, old fellow! hoist yourself up, and we’ll 
open door and windows and let in the fresh air to brighten 
up matters. Few. words, in troublesome times, make men 
the best fri’nds. Your darter Judith is what I call a 
misbehaving young woman, and the hold of the whole 
family on me is so much weakened by her late conduct, 
that it wouldn’t take a speech as long as the ten command- 
ments to send me off to the river, leaving you and your 
traps, your ark and your children, your man-servants and 
your maid-servants, your oxen and your asses, to fight 
this battle with the Iroquois by yourselves. Open that 
window. Floating Tom, and I’ll blunder through and do 
the same job to the front door.” 

A moment of silence succeeded, and a noise like that 
produced by the fall of a heavy body followed. A deep 
execration from Hurry succeeded, and then the whole in- 
terior of the building seemed alive. The noises that now 
so suddenly, and we may add so unexpectedly even to tlie 
Delaware, broke the stillness within, could not be mis- 
taken. They resembled those that would be produced by 
a struggle between tigers in a cage. Once or twice the 
Indian yell was given, but it seemed smothered, and as if 
it proceeded from exhausted or compressed throats ; and, 
in a single instance, a deep and anotlier sliockingly revolt- 
ing execration came from the throat of Hurry. It ap- 
peared as if bodies were constantly thrown upon the floor 
with violence, as often rising to renew the struggle. 


-26 


THE DEERS LA YER. 


Chingachgook felt greatly at a loss what to do. He had 
all the arms in the ark, Hutter and Hurry having pro- 
ceeded without their rifles ; but there was no means of 
using them, or of passing them to the hands of their 
owners. The combatants were literally caged, rendering 
it almost as impossible, under the circumstances, to get 
out as to get into the building. Then there was Hist to 
embarrass his movements, and to cripple his efforts. With 
a view to relieve himself from this disadvantage, he told . 
the girl to take the remaining canoe and to join H utter’s 
daughters, who were incautiously but deliberately ap- 
proaching, in order to save herself and to warn the others 
of their danger. But the girl positively and firmly re- 
fused to comply. At that moment, no human power, 
short of an exercise of superior physical force, could have 
induced her to quit the ark. The exigency of the moment 
did not admit of delay, and the Delaware, seeing no possi- 
bility of serving his friends, cut the line, and by a strong 
shove forced the scow some twenty feet clear of the piles. 
Here he took the sweeps and succeeded in getting a short 
distance to windward, if any direction could be thus 
termed in so light an air, but neither the time, nor his 
skill at the oars, allowed the distance to be great. When 
he ceased rowing the ark might have been a hundred yards 
from the platform, and half that distance to the southward 
of it, the sail being lowered. Judith and Hetty had now 
discovered that something was wrong, and were stationary 
a thousand feet farther north. 

All this while the furious struggle continued within the 
house. In scenes like these, events thicken in less time 
than they can be related. From the moment when the first 
fall was heard within the building, to that when the Dcla-^ 
ware ceased his awkward attempts to row, it might have 
been three or four minutes, but it had evidently served to! 
weaken the combatants. The oaths and execrations of 
Hurry were no longer heard, and even the struggles had 
lost some of their force and fury ; nevertheless, they still 
continued with unabated perseverance. At this instant 
the door flew open and the fight was transferred to the 
platforrn, the light, and the open air. 

Huron had undone the fastenings of the door, and 
three or four of his tribe rushed after him upon the nar- 


THE DEERS LA YER. 


327 


row space, as if glad to escape from some terrible scene 
within. The body of another followed, pitched headlong 
through the door, with terrific violence. Then March ap- 
peared, raging like a lion at bay, and for an instant freed 
from his numerous enemies. Hutter was already a cap- 
tive and bound. There was now a pause in the struggle, 
which resembled a lull in the tempest. The necessity of 
breathing was common to all, and the combatants stood 
watching each other, like mastift's that have been driven 
from their holds, and are waiting for a favorable oppor- 
tunity of renewing them. We shall profit by tliis pause 
to relate the manner in which the Indians had obtained 
possession of the castle ; and this the more willingly, be- 
cause it niay be necessary to explain to the reader why a 
conflict which had been so close and fierce should have 
also been so comparatively bloodless. 

Rivenoak and his companion, particularly the latter, 
who appeared to be a subordinate and occupied solely 
with his raft, had made tlie closest observations in their 
visits to the castle ; even the boy had brought away minute 
and valuable information. By these means the flurons 
obtained a general idea of the manner in which the place 
was constructed and secured, as well as of details that en- 
abled them to act intelligently in the dark. Notwithstand- 
ing the care that Hutter had taken to drop the ark on the 
east side of the building, when he was in tiie act of trans- 
ferring the furniture from the former to the latter, he had 
been watched in a way to render the precaution useless. 
Scouts were on the lookout on the eastern as well as on 
tlie western shore of the lake, and the whole proceeding 
had been noted. As soon as it was dark, rafts like that 
already described approached from both shores to recon- 
noitre, and the ark had passed witliin fifty feet of one of 
them, without its being discovered ; the men it held lying 
at their length on the logs, so as to blend themselves and 
their slow-moving machine with the water. When these 
two sets of adventurers drew near the castle, they encoun- 
tered each other, and after communicating tlieir respective 
observations, they unhesitatingly approached the building. 
As had been expected, it was found empty. The rafts 
were immediately sent for reinforcement to the shore, and 
two of the savages remained to profit by their situation. 


32S 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


These men succeeded in getting on the roof, and, by re- 
moving some of the bark, in entering what might be 
termed the garret. Here they were found by their com- 
panions. Hatchets now opened a hole through the square 
logs of the upper floor, through which no less than eight 
of the most athletic of the Indians dropped into the room 
beneath. Here they were left, well supplied with arms 
and provisions, either to stand a siege, or to make a 
sortie, as the case might require. The night was passed 
in sleep, as is usual with Indians in a state of inactivity. 
The returning day brought them a view of the approach 
of the ark, through the loops, the only manner in which 
light and air were now admitted, the windows being closed 
most effectually with plank, rudely fashioned to fit. As 
soon as it was ascertained that the two white men were 
about to enter by the trap, the chief, who directed the 
proceedings of the Hurons, took his measures accordingly.* 
He removed all the arms from his own people, even to the 
knives, in distrust of savage ferocity, when awakened by 
.personal injuries, and he hid them where they could not 
be found without a search. Ropes of bark were then 
prepared, and, taking their stations in the three different 
rooms, they all waited for the signal to fall upon their in- 
tended captives. As soon as the party had entered the 
building, men without replaced the bark of the roof, re- 
moved every sign of their visit with care, and then de- 
parted for the shore. It was one of these who had dropped 
his moccasin, which he had not been able to find again, in 
the dark. Had the death of the girl been known, it is 
probable nothing could have saved the lives of Hurry and 
Hutter ; but that event occurred after the ambush was 
laid, and at a distance of several miles from the encamp- 
ment near the castle. Such were the means that had been 
employed to produce the state of things we shall con- 
tinue to describe. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


329 


CHAPTER XX. 


Now all is done that man can do, 

, And all is done in vain ! 

My love ! my native land, adieu, 

For I must cross the main ; 

My dear. 

For I must cross the main.” — Scottish Ballad. 

In the last chapter we left the combatants breathing in 
their narrow lists. Accustomed to the rude sports of 
wrestling and jumping, then so common in America, more 
especially on the frontiers, Hurry possessed an advantage, 
in addition to his prodigious strength, that had rendered 
the struggle less unequal than it might otherwise appear 
to be. This alone had enabled him to hold out so long 
against so many enemies ; for the Indian is by no means 
remarkable for his skill or force in athletic exercises. As 
yet, no one had been seriously hurt, though several of the 
savages had received severe falls, and he, in particular, 
who had been thrown bodily upon the platform, might be 
said to be temporarily hors de co7nbat. Some of the rest 
were limping ; and March himself had not entirely escaped 
from bruises, though want of breath was the principal loss 
that both sides wished to repair. 

Under circumstances like those in which the parties 
were placed, a truce, let it come from what cause it might, 
could not well be of long continuance. The arena was too 
confined, and the distrust of treachery too great, to admit 
of this. Contrary to what might be expected in his situa- 
tion Hurry was the first person to recommence hostilities. 
Whether this proceeded from policy or an idea that he 
might gain some advantage by making a sudden and unex- 
pected assault, or was the fruit of irritation and his undy- 
ing hatred of an Indian, it is impossible to say. His onset 
was furious, however, and at first it carried all before it. 
He seized the nearest Huron by the waist, raised him en- 
tirely from the platform, and hurled him intotlie water as 
if he had been a child. In half a minute two more were 
at his side, one of whom received a grave injury by falling 


330 


THE DEERSLAYER. 

on the friend who had just preceded him. But four ene- 
mies remained, and in a hand-to-hand conflict, in which no 
arms were used but those which Nature had furnished, 
Hurry believed himself fully able to cope with that num- 
ber of red-skins. 

“ Hurrah ! old Tom,” he shouted ; “the rascals are tak- 
ing to the lake, and I’ll soon have ’em all -swimming ! ” 
As those words were uttered, a violent kick in the face 
sent back the injured Indian, who had caught at the edge 
of the platform and was endeavoring to raise himself to its 
level, helplessly and hopelessly into the water. When the 
affray was over, his dark body was seen, through .the lim- 
pid element of the Glimmerglass, lying, with outstretched 
arms, extended on the bottom of the shoal on which the 
castle stood, clinging to the sands and weeds as if life were 
to be retained by this frenzied grasp of death. A blow, 
sent into the pit of another’s stomach, doubled him up like 
a worm that had been trodden on ; and but two able-bodied 
foes remained to be dealt with. One of these, however, 
was not only the largest and strongest of the Hiirons, but 
he was also the most experienced of the warriors present, 
and that one whose sinews were the best strung in fights 
and by marches on the war-path. This man fully appre- 
ciated the gigantic strength of his opponent, and had care- 
fully husbanded his own. He was also equipped in the 
best manner for such a conflict, standing in nothing but 
his breech-cloth, the model of a naked and beautiful 
statue of agility and strength. To grasp him required 
additional dexterity and unusual force. Still Hurry did 
not hesitate ; but the kick, that had actually destroyed 
one fellow-creature, was no sooner given than he closed 
in with this formidable antagonist, endeavoring to force 
him into thS water also. The struggle that succeeded was \ 
truly frightful. So fierce did it immediately become, and 
so quick and changeful were the evolutions of the athletae, 
that the remaining savage had no chance for interfering 
had he possessed the desire ; but wonder and apprehen- 
sion held him spellbound. He was an inexperienced 
youth, and his blood curdled as he witnessed the fell 
strife of human passions, exhibited, too, in an unaccus- 
tomed form. 

Hurry first attempted to throw his antagonist. With 


THE DEEESLAVEE. 


331 


this view he seized him by the throat and an arm, and 
tripped with the quickness and force of an American 
borderer. The effect was frustrated by the agile move- 
ments of the Huron, who had clothes to grasp by, and 
whose feet avoided the attempt with a nimbleness equal to 
that with which it was made. Then followed a sort of 
;;?///<?, if such a term can be applied to a struggle between 
two in which no efforts were distinctly visible, the limbs 
and bodies of the combatants assuming so many attitudes 
and contortions as to defeat observation. This confused 
but fierce rally lasted less than a minute, however, when 
Hurry, furious at having his strength baffled by the agility 
and nakedness of his foe, made a desperate effort, which 
sent the Huron from him, hurling his body violently 
against the logs of the hut. The concussion was so great 
as momentarily to confuse the latter’s faculties. The pain, 
too, extorted a deep groan — an unusual concession to 
agony to escape a red man in the heat of battle. Still he 
rushed forward again to meet his enemy, conscious that 
his safety rested on his resolution. Hurry now seized the 
other by the waist, raised him bodily from the platform, 
and fell with his own great weight on the form beneath. 
This additional shock so far stunned the sufferer that his 
gigantic white opponent now had him completely at his 
mercy. Passing his hands round the throat of his victim, 
he compressed them with the strength of a vise, fairly 
doubling the head of the Huron over the edge of the plat- 
form, until the chin was uppermost, with the infernal 
strength he expended. An instant sufficed to show the 
consequences. The eyes of the sufferer seemed to start 
forward, his tongue protruded, and his nostrils dilated 
nearly to splitting. At this instant a rope of bark, having 
an eye, was passed dexterously within the two arms of 
Hurry ; the end threaded the eye, forming a noose, and 
his elbows were drawn together behind his back with a 
power that all his gigantic strength could not resist. Re- 
luctantly, even under such circumstances, did the exas- 
perated borderer see his hands drawn from their deadly 
grasp, for all the evil passions were then in the ascendant. 
Almost at the same instant a similar fastening secured his 
ankles, and his body was rolled to the centre of the plat- 
form as helplessly and as cavalierly as if it were a log of 


332 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


wood. His rescued antagonist, however, did not rise, for, 
while he began again to breathe, his head still hung help- 
lessly over the edge of the logs, and it was thought at first 
that his neck was dislocated. He recovered graduallv 
only, and it was hours before he could walk. Some fan- 
cied that neither his body nor his mind ever totally re- 
covered from this near approach to death. 

Hurry owed his defeat and capture to the intensity with 
which he had concentrated all his powers on his fallen foe. 
While thus occupied the two Indians he had hurled into 
the water mounted to the heads of the piles, along which 
they passed and joined their companion on the platform. 
The latter had so far rallied his faculties as to have got the 
ropes, which were in readiness for use as the others ap- 
peared, and they were applied in the manner related as 
Hurry lay pressing the enemy down with his whole weight, 
intent only on the horrible office of strangling him. Thus 
were the tables turned in a single moment ; he, who had 
been so near achieving a victory that would have been re- 
nowned for ages, by means of tradition, throughout all that 
region, lying helpless, bound and a captive. So fearful 
had been the efforts of the pale-face, and so prodigious the 
strength he exhibited, that even as he lay, tethered like a 
sheep before them, they regarded him with respect and 
not without dread. The helpless body of their stoutest 
warrior was still stretched on the platform ; and, as they 
cast their eyes toward the lake in quest of the comrade 
that had been hurled into it so unceremoniously, and of 
whom they had lost sight in the confusion of the fray, they 
perceived his lifeless form clinging to the grass on the 
bottom, as already described. These several circumstances 
contributed to render the victory of the Hurons almost as 
astounding to themselves as a defeat. 

Chingachgook and his betrothed witnessed the whole of 
this struggle from the ark. When the three Hurons were 
about to pass the cords around the arms of the prostrate 
Hurry, the Delaware sought his rifie ; but, before he could 
use it, the white man was bound, and the mischief was 
done. He might still bring down an enemy, but to ob- 
tain the scalp was impossible ; and the young chief, who 
would so freely risk his own life to obtain such a trophy, 
hesitated about taking that of a foe without such an ob- 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


333 


ject in view. A glance at Hist, and the recollection of 
what might follow, checked any transient wish for re- 
venge. The reader has been told that Chingachgook 
could scarcely be said to know how to manage the oars of 
the ark at all, however expert he might be in the use of 
the paddle. Perhaps there is no manual labor at which 
men are so bungling and awkward, as in their first attempts 
to puli an oar,'^en the experienced mariner, or boatman, 
breaking down in his efforts to figure with the celebrated 
rullock of the gondolier. In short, it is temporarily an 
impracticable thing for a new beginner to succeed witli a 
single oar ; but, in this case, it was necessary to handle 
two at the same time an(^ those of great size. Sweeps, or 
large oars, however, are sooner rendered of use by the raw 
hand than are lighter implements, and this was the reason 
that the Delaware had succeeded in moving the ark as 
well as he did, in a first trial. That trial, notwithstanding, 
sufficed to produce distrust, and he was fully aware of the 
critical situation in which Hist and himself were now 
placed, should the Hurons take to the canoe that was still 
lying beneath the trap, and come against them. At one 
moment he thought of putting Hist into the canoe in his 
own possession, and of taking to the eastern mountain, in 
the hope of reaching the Delaware villages by direct 
flight. But many considerations suggested themselves to 
put a stop to this indiscreet step. It was almost certain 
that scouts watched the lake on both sides, and no canoe 
could possibly approach the shore without being seen 
from the hills. Then a trail could not be concealed from 
Indian eyes, and the strength of Hist was unequal to a 
flight sufficiently sustained to outstrip the pursuit of 
trained warriors. This was a part of America in which 
the Indians did not know the use of horses, and every- 
thing would depend on the physical energies of the fugi- 
tives, Last, but far from being least, were the thoughts 
connected with the situation of Deerslayer, a friend who 
was not to be deserted in his extremity. 

Hist, in some particulars, reasoned, and even felt, dif- 
ferently, though she arrived at the same conclusions. Her 
own danger disturbed her less than her concern for the 
two sisters, in whose behalf her womanly sympathies were 
now strongly enlisted. The canoe- of the girls by the time 


334 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


the struggle on the platform had ceased, was within three 
hundred yards of the castle, and here Judith ceased pad- 
dling, the evidences of strife first becoming apparent to 
the eyes. She and Hetty were standing erect, anxiously 
endeavoring to ascertain what had occurred, but unable 
to satisfy their doubts, from the circumstance that the 
building, in a great measure, concealed the scene of action. 

The parties in the ark and in the canoe were indebted 
to the ferocity of Hurry’s attack, for their momentary se- 
curity. In any ordinary case, the girls would have been 
immediately captured ; a measure easy of execution, now 
the savages had a canoe, were it not for the rude check 
the audacity of the Hurons had received in the recent 
struggle. It required some little *time to recover from the 
effects of this violent scene ; and this so mucii the more, 
because the principal man of the party, in the way of per- 
sonal prowess, at least, had been so great a sufferer. Still 
it was of the last importance that Judith and lier sister 
should seek immediate refuge in the ark, where the de- 
fences offered a temporary shelter at least ; and the first 
step was to devise the means of inducing them to do so. 
Hist showed herself in the stern of the scow, and made 
m.any gestures and signe, in vain, in order to induce the 
girls to make a circuit to avoid the castle, and to approach 
the ark from the eastward. But these signs were dis- 
trusted or misunderstood. Jit was probable Judith was 
not yet sufficiently aware of the real state of things, to 
put full confidence in either party. Instead of doing as 
desired, she rather kept more aloof ; paddling slowly back 
to the north, or into the broadest part of the lake, where 
she would command the widest view, and had the fairest 
field for flight before her. At this instant the sun ap- 
peared above the pines of the eastern range of mountains, 
and a light, southerly breeze arose, as was usual enough 
at that season and hour. 

Chingachgook lost no time in hoisting the sail. What- 
ever might be in reserve for him, there could be no ques- 
tion that it was every way desirable to get the ark at such 
a distance from the castle as to reduce his enemies to the 
necessity of approaching the former in the canoe, which 
the chances of war had so inopportunely, fo^y his wishes 
and security, thrown into their hands. The appearance 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


335 


of the opening duck®*seemed first to arouse the Hurons 
from their apathy ; and, by the time the head of the scow 
had fallen off before the wind, which it cf^d, unfortunately, 
in the wrong direction, bringing it within a few yards of 
the platform. Hist, found it necessary to warn her lover of 
the importance of covering his person against the rifles of 
his foes. This was a danger to be avoided under all cir- 
cumstances, and so much the more, because the Delaware 
found that Hist would not take to the cover herself, so 
long as he remained exposed. Accordingly, Chingachgook 
abandoned the scow to its own movements, forced Hist 
into the cabin, the doors of which he immediately secured 
and then he looked about him for the rifles. 

Tlie situation of the parties was now so singular as to 
merit a particular description. The ark was within sixty 
yards of the castle, a little to the southward, or to wind- 
ward of it, with its sails full, and the steering-oar abandoned. 
The latter, fortunately, was loose, so that it produced no 
great influence on the crab-like movements of the unwield- 
ly craft. The sail being set, as sailors term it, flying, or 
having no braces, the air forced the yard forward, though 
both sheets were fast. The effect was threefold on a boat 
with a bottom that was perfectly flat, and which drew 
merely some three or four inches of water. It pressed the 
head slowly round to leeward, it forced the whole fabric 
bodily in the same direction at the same time, and the water 
that unavoidably gathered under the lee gave the scow also 
a forward movement. All these changes were exceedingly 
slow, however, for the wind was not only light, but it was 
baffling, as usual, and twice or thi ice the sail shook. Once 
it was absolutely taken aback. 

Had there been any keel to the ark, it would inevitably 
liave run foul of the platform, bows on, when it is probable 
nothing could have prevented the Hurons from carrying 
it, more particularly as the sail would have enabled them 
to approach under cover. As it was, the scow wore slowly 
round, barely clearing that part of the building. The piles 
projecting several feet, tJiey were not cleared, but the head 
of the slow-moving craft caught between two of them by 
one of its square corners, and hung. At this moment the 
Delaware was vigilantly watching through a loop for an 
opportunity to fire, while the Hurons kept within tiie build- 


33 ^ 


THE DEERSLAYEE. 


ing^ similarly occupied. The exhausted warrior reclined 
against the hut, there haying been no time to remove him, 
and Hurry lay, almost as helpless as a log, tethered like a 
sheep on its way to the slaughter, near the middle of the 
platform. Chingachgook could have slain the first at any 
moment, but his scalp would have been safe, and the 
young chief disdained to strike a blow that could lead to 
neither honor nor advantage. 

“ Run out one of the poles, Sarpent, if Sarpent you 
be,” said Hurry, amid the groans that the tightness of the 
ligatures was beginning to extort from him — “ run out one 
of the poles, and shove the head of the scow off, and you’ll 
drift clear of us — and when you’ve done that good turn 
ior yourself ^ just finish this gagging blackguard for thc” 

The appeal of Hurry, however, had no other effect than 
to draw the attention of Hist to his situation. This quick- 
witted creature comprehended it at a glance. His ankles 
were bound with several turns of stout bark rope, and his 
arms, above the elbows, were similarly secured behind his 
back, barely leaving him a little play of the hands and 
wrists. Putting her mouth near a loop, she said, in a low 
but distinct voice : 

“ Why don’t you roll here, and fall in scow ? Chingach- 
gook shoot Huron if he chase ! ” 

“ By the Lord, gal, that’s a judgmatical thought, and it 
shall be tried, if the starn of your scow will come a little 
nearer. Put a bed at the bottom for me to fall on.” 

This was said at a happy moment, for tired of waiting, 
all the Indians made a rapid discharge of their rifles, al- 
most simultaneously, injuring no one, though several bul- 
lets passed through the loops. Hist had heard part of 
Hurry’s words, but most of what he said was lost in the 
sharp report of the fire-arms. She undid the bar of the 
door that led to the stern of the scow, but did not dare to 
expose her person, All this time the head of the ark hung, 
but by a gradually decreasing hold, as the other end swung 
slowly round, nearer and nearer to the platform. Hurry, 
who now lay with his face toward the ark, occasionally 
writhing and turning over like one in pain, evolutions he 
had performed ever since he was secured, watched every 
change, and at last he saw that the whole vessel was free, 
and was beginning to grate slowly along the sides of the 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


piles. The attempt was desperate, but it seemed the only 
chance of escaping torture and death, .and it suited the 
reckless daring of the man’s character.' Waiting to the 
last moment, in order tnht the stern of the scow might 
fairly mb against the platform, he began to writhe again, 
as if in intolerable suffering, execrating all Indians in gen- 
eral and Hurons in particular, and then he suddenly and 
rapidly rolled over and over, taking the direction of the 
stern of the scow. Unfortunately, Hurry’s shoulders re- 
quired more space to revolve in than his feet, and by the 
time he reached the edge of the platform his direction 
had so far changed as to carry him clear of the ark alto- 
gether ; and the rapidity of his revolutions, and the emer- 
gency admitting of no delay, he fell into the water. At 
this instant Chingachgook, by an understanding with his 
betrothed, drew the fire of the Hurons again, not a ipan 
of whom saw the manner in which one whom they knew 
to be effectually tethered had disappeared. But Hist’s 
feelings were strongly interested in the success of so bold 
a scheme, and she watched the movements of Hurry as 
the cat watches the mouse. The moment he was in mo- 
tion she foresaw the consequences, and this the more read- 
ily as the scow was now beginning to move with some 
steadiness, and she bethought her of the means of saving 
him. AVith a sort of instinctive readiness, she opened the 
door at the very moment the rifles were ringing in her 
ears, and protected by the intervening cabin, she stepped 
into the stern of the scow in time to witness the fall of 
Hurry into the lake. Her foot was unconsciously placed 
on the end of one of the sheets of the sail, which was fas- 
tened aft, and catching up all the spare rope, with the 
awkwardness, but also with the generous resolution of a 
woman, she threw it in the direction of the helpless Hurry. 
The line fell on the head and body of the sinking man, and 
he not only succeeded in grasping separate parts of it with 
his hands, but he actually got a portion of it between his 
teeth. Hurry was an expert swimmer, and tethered as he 
was, he resorted to the very expedient that philosophy and 
reflection would have suggested. He had fallen on his 
back, and instead of floundering and drowning himself by 
desperate efforts to w’ajjk on the water, he permitted his 
body to sink as low as possible, and was already submerged, 


22 


33S 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


with the exception of his face, when the line reached him. 
In this situation he might possibly have remained until 
rescued by the Hurons, using his hands as fishes use their 
fins, liad he received no other succor ; but the movement 
of the ark soon tightened the rope, and of course he was 
dragged gently ahead, holding even pace with the scow. 
The motion aided in keeping his face above the surface 
of the water, and it would have been possible for one ac- 
customed to endurance to have been towed a mile in this 
singular but simple manner. 

It has been said that the Hurons did not observe the 
sudden disappeara,nce of Hurry. In his present situation 
he was not only hid from view by the platform, but as the 
ark drew slowly ahead, impelled by a sail that was now 
filled, he received the same friendly service from the piles. 
The Hurons, indeed, were too intent on endeavoring to 
slay their Delaware foe, by sending a bullet through some 
one of the loops or crevices of the cabin, to bethink them 
at all of one whom they fancied so thoroughly tied. Their 
great concern was the manner in which the ark rubbed 
past the piles, although its motion was lessened at least 
one-half by the friction, and they passed into the northern 
end of the castle, in order to catch opportunities of firing 
through the loops of that part of the building. Chingach- 
gook was similarly occupied, and renuiiiied as ignorant as 
his enemies of the situation of Hurry. As the ark grated 
along, the rifles sent their little clouds of smoke from one 
cover to the other, but the eyes and movements of the op- 
posing parties were too quick to permit any injury to be 
done. At length one side had the mortification, and the 
other the pleasure, of seeing the scow swing clear of the 
piles altogether, when it immediately moved away, with a 
materially accelerated motion, toward the north. 

Chingachgook now first learned from Hist the critical 
condition of Hurry. To have exposed either of their per- 
sons in the stern of the scow would have been certain 
death ; but, fortunately, the sheet to which the man clung 
led forward to the foot of the sail. The Delaware found 
means to unloosen it from the cleet aft, and Hist, who was 
already forward for that purpose, immediately began to 
pull upon the line. At this moment Hurry was towing 
fifty or sixty feet astern, with nothing but his face above 


TRE DEERSLAYER. 


339 


water. As he was dragged out clear of the castle and the 
piles, he was first perceived by the Hurons, who raised a 
hideous yell, and commenced a fire on what may very well 
be termed the floating mass. It was at the same instant 
that Hist began to pull upon the line forward — a circum- 
stance that probably saved Hurry’s life, aided by his own 
self-possession and border readiness. The first bullet 
struck the water directly on the spot where the broad chest 
of the young giant , was visible through the pure element, 
and might have pierced his heart had the angle at which 
it was fired been less acute. Instead of penetrating the 
lake, however, it glanced from its smooth surface, rose, 
and actually buried itself in the logs of the cabin, near 
the spot- at which Chingachgook had shown himself the 
minute before, while clearing the line from the cleet. A 
second, and a third, and a fourth bullet followed, all meet- 
ing with the same resistance from the surface of the water ; 
though Hurry sensibly felt the violence of the blows they 
struck upon the lake so immediately above and so near 
his breast. Discovering their mistake, the Hurons now 
changed their plan and aimed at the uncovered face ; but 
by this time Hist was pulling on the line, the target ad- 
vanced, and the deadly missiles still fell upon the water. 
In another moment the body was dragged past the end of 
the scow, and became concealed. As for tlie Delaware 
and Hist, they worked perfectly covered by the cabin, and 
in less time than it requires to tell it, they had hauled the 
huge frame of Hurry to the place they occupied. Chin- 
gachgook stood in readiness with his keen knife, and 
bending over the side of the scow, he soon severed the 
bark that bound the limbs of the borderer. To raise him 
high enough to reach the edge of the boat, and to aid him 
in entering, were less easy tasks, as Hurry’s arms were 
still nearly useless ; but both were done in time, when the 
liberated man staggered forward and fell, exhausted and 
helpless, into the bottom of the scow. Here we shall leave 
liim to recover his strength and the due circulation of his 
blood, while we proceed with the narrative of events that 
crowd upon us too fast to admit of any postponement. 

The moment the Hurons lost sight of the body of Hurry 
they gave a common yell of disappointment, and three of 
the most active of their number ran to the trap and entered 


THE DEERS LA VER. 


340 

a canoe. It required some little delay, howev^er, to embark 
with their weapons, to find the paddles, and, if we may 
use a phrase so purely technical, “to get out of dock.’' 
By this time Hurry was in the scow, and the Delaware 
had his rifles again in readiness. As the ark necessarily 
sailed before the wind, it had got by this time quite two 
hundred yards from the castle, and was sliding awa}’ eacli 
instant farther and farther, though with a motion so easy 
as scarcely to stir the water. The canoe 'of the girls was 
quite a quarter of a mile distant from the ark, obviously 
keeping aloof, in ignorance of what had occurred, and in 
apprehension of the consequences of venturing too near. 
They had taken the direction of tlie eastern shore, en- 
deavoring at the same time to get to windward of the ark, 
and in a manner between the two parties, as if distrusting 
which was to be considered a friend and wliicli an enemy. 
The girls, from long habit, used the paddles with great 
dexterity ; and Judith in particular had often sportively 
gained races in trials of speed with the youths that oc- 
casionally visited the lake. 

When the three Hurons emerged from benind the pali- 
sades and found themselves on the open lake, and under 
the necessity of advancing unprotected on the ark if they 
persevered in their original design, their ardor sensibly 
cooled. In a bark canoe they were totally without cover, 
and Indian discretion was entirely opposed to such a sac- 
rifice of life as would most probably follow any attempt 
to assault an enemy intrenched as effectually as the Dela- 
ware. Instead of following the ark, therefore, these three 
warriors inclined toward the eastern shore, keeping at a 
safe distance from the rifles of Chingachgook. But this 
manoeuvre rendered the position of the girls exceedingly 
critical. It threatened to place them, if not between two ^ 
fires, at least between two dangers, or what they conceived 
to be dangers, and instead of permitting the Hurons to 
inclose her in what she fancied a sort of net, Judith, im- 
mediately commenced her retreat in a southern direction, 
at no very great distance from the shore. She did not 
dare to land ; if such an expedient were to be resorted to 
at all, she could only venture on it in the last extremity. 
At first the Indians paid little or no attention to the other 
canoe ; for fully apprised of its contents, they deemed its 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


341 


capture of comparatively little moment while the ark, 
with its imaginary treasures, the persons of the Delaware 
and of Hurry, and its means of movement on a large scale, 
was before them. But this ark had its dangers as well as 
temptations ; and after wasting near an hour in vacillating 
evolutions, always at a safe distance from the rifle, the 
Hurons seemed suddenly to take their resolution, and be- 
gan to display it by giving eager chase to the girls. 

When this last design was adopted, the circumstances 
of all parties, as connected with their relative positions, 
were materially changed. The ark had sailed and drifted 
quite half a mile, and was nearly that distance due north 
of the castle. As soon as the Delaware perceived that the 
girls avoided him, unable to manage his unwieldy craft, 
and knowing that flight from a bark canoe, in the event of 
pursuit, would be a useless expedient if attempted, he had 
lowered his sail, in the hope that it might induce the sisters 
to change their plan and to seek refuge in the scow. This 
demonstration produced no other effect than to keep the 
ark nearer to the scene of action and to enable those in 
her to become witnesses of the chase. The canoe of Ju- 
dith was about a quarter of a mile soutli of that of the 
Hurons, a little nearer to the east shore, and about the 
same distance to the southward of the castle as it was from 
the hostile canoe, a circumstance which necessarily put the 
last nearly abreast of Hutter’s fortress. With the several 
parties thus situated, the chase commenced. 

At the moment when the Hurons so suddenly changed 
tlieir mode of attack, their canoe was not in the best pos- 
sible racing trim. There were but two paddles, and the 
third man was so much extra and useless cargo. Then the 
difference in the weight between the sisters and the other 
two men, more especially in vessels so extremely light, 
almost neutralized any difference that might proceed from 
the greater strength of the Hurons, and rendered the trial 
of speed far from being as unequal as it might seem. Ju- 
dith did not commence her exertions until the near ap- 
proach of the other canoe rendered tlie object of the move- 
ment certain, and then she excited Hetty to aid her with 
her utmost skill and strength. 

“ Why should we run, Judith } ” asked the simple minded 


342 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


girl ; “ the Hurons have never harmed me^ nor do I think 
they ever will.” 

“ Tliat may be true as to you, Hetty, but it will prove 
very different with me. Kneel down and say your prayer, 
and then rise and do your utmost to help escape. Think 
of me, dear girl, too, as you pray.” 

Judith gave these directions from a mixed feeling ; first, 
because she knew that her sister ever sought the support 
of her Great Ally in trouble ; and next, because a sensa- 
tion of feebleness and dependence suddenly came over 
her own proud spirit in that moment of apparent deser- 
tion and trial. The prayer was quickly said, however, and 
the canoe was soon in rapid motion. Still, neither party 
resorted to their greatest exertions from the outset, both 
knowing that the chase was likely to be arduous and long. 
Like two vessels-of-war that are preparing for an en- 
counter, they seemed desirous of first ascertaining their 
respective rates of speed, in order that they might know 
how to graduate their exertions previous to the great ef- 
fort. A few minutes sufficed to show the Hurons that the 
girls were expert, and that it would require all their skill 
and energies to overtake them. 

Judith had inclined toward the eastern shore at the 
commencement of the chase, with a vague determination 
of landing and flying to the woods as a last resort ; but 
as she approached the land, the certainty that scouts must 
be watching her movements made her reluctance to adopt 
such an expedient unconquerable. Then she was still 
fresh and had sanguine hopes of being able to,tire out her 
pursuers. With such feelings, she gave a sweep to her 
pa'ddle and sheered off from the fringe of dark hemlocks, 
beneath the shades of which she was so near entering, and 
held her way again more toward the centre of the lake. 
This seemed the instant favorable for the Hurons to make 
their push, as it gave them the entire breadth of the sheet 
to do it in ; and this, too, in the widest part, as soon as 
they had got between the fugitives and the land. Tiie 
canoes now' flew; Judith making up for what she wanted 
in strength by her great dexterity and self-command. 
For half a mile the Indians gained no material advantage, 
but the continuance of so great exertions for so many 
minutes sensibly affected all concerned. Here the Indians 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


343 


resorted to an expedient that enabled them to give one of 
their party time to breathe, by shifting their paddles from 
hand to hand, and this, too, without sensibly relaxing their 
efforts. Judith occasionally looked behind her, and she 
saw this expedient practised. It caused her immediately to 
distrust the result, since her powers of endurance were not 
likely to hold out against those of men who had the means 
of relieving each other ; still she persevered, allowing no 
very visible consequences immediately to follow the change. 

As yet the Indians had not been able to get nearer to 
the girls than two hundred yards, though they were what 
seamen would term “in their wake,” or in a direct line 
behind them, passing over the same track of water. This 
made the pursuit what is technically called a “stern chase,” 
which is proverbially a “long chase;” the meaning of 
which is, that in consequence of the relative positions of 
the parties, no change becomes apparent except that 
which is a direct gain in the nearest possible approach. 
“Long” as this species of chase is admitted to be, how- 
ever, Judith was enabled to perceive that the Huronswere 
sensibly drawing nearer and nearer before she had gaineti 
thg centre of the lake. She was not a girl to despair ; but 
there was an instant when she thought of yielding, with 
the wish of being carried to the camp where she knew the 
Deerslayer to be a captive ; but the consideration con- 
nected with the means she hoped to be able to employ so 
as to procure his release immediately interposed, in order 
to stimulate her to renewed exertions. Had there been 
any one there to note the progress of the two canoes, he 
would have seen that of Judith flying swiftly away from 
its pursuers, as the girl gave it freshly impelled speed, 
while her mind was tliiis dwelling on her own ardent and 
generous schemes. So material, indeed, was the differ- 
ence in the rate of going between the two canoes for the 
next five minutes, that the Hurons began to be convinced 
all their powers must be exerted or they would suffer the 
disgrace of being baffled by women. Making a furious 
effort under the mortification of such conviction, one of 
the stronger of their party broke his paddle at the very 
moment when he had taken it from the hand of a comrade 
to relieve him. This at once decided tlie matter ; a canoe 
containing three men, and having but one paddle, being 


344 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


utterly unable to overtake fugitives like the daughters of 
Thomas Hutter. 

“There, Judith!” exclaimed Hetty, who saw the acci- 
dent — “ I hope, now, you will own that praying is useful 1 
The Hurons have broken a paddle, and they never over- 
take us.” 

“ I never denied it, poor Hetty ; and sometimes wish, in 
bitterness of spirit, that I had prayed more myself and 
thought less of my beauty. As you say, we are now safe, 
and need only go a little south and take breath.” 

This was done ; the enemy giving up the pursuit, as 
suddenly as a ship that has lost an important spar, the in- 
stant the accident occurred. Instead of following Judith’s 
canoe, which was now lightly skimming over the water 
toward the south, the Hurons turned their bows toward 
the castle, where they soon arrived and landed. The girls, 
fearful that some spare paddles might be found in or about 
the building, continued on ; nor did they stop until so far 
distant from their enemies as to give them every chance 
of escape should the chase be renewed. It would seem 
that the savages meditated no such design, but at the end 
of an hour their canoe, filled with men, was seen quitting 
the castle and steering toward the shore. The girls were 
without food, and they now drew nearer to the buildings 
and tlie ark, having finally made up their minds, from its 
manoeuvres, that the latter contained friends. 

Notwithstanding the seeming desertion of the castle, 
Judith approached it with extreme caution. The ark was 
now quite a mile to the northward but sweeping up toward 
the building ; and this, too, with a regularity of motion 
that satisfied Judith a white man was at the oars. When 
tvithin a hundred yards of the building the girls began to 
encircle it, in order to make sure that it was empty. No 
canoe was nigh, and this emboldened them to draw nearer 
and nearer, until they had gone round the piles and reached 
the platform. 

“Do you go into the house, Hetty,” said Judith, “and 
see that the saA^ages are gone. They Avill not harm you ; 
and if any of them are still here, you can give me the 
alarm. I do not think they will fire on a poor, defenceless 
girl, and I at least may escape until I shall be ready to go 
among them of my own accord.” 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


345 


Hetty did as desired — Judith retiring a few yards from 
the platform the instant her sister landed, in readiness for 
flight. But the last was unnecessary, not a minute elaps- 
ing before Hetty returned to communicate that all was 
safe. 

“ I’ve been in all the rooms, Judith,” said the latter, earn- 
estly, “and they are empty, except father’s; he is in his 
own chamber sleeping, though not as quietly as we could 
wish.” 

“ Has anything happened to father ?” demanded Judith 
as her foot touched the platform, speaking quick, for her 
nerves were in a state to be easily alarmed. 

Hetty seemed concerned, and she looked furtively about 
her, as if unwilling any one but a child should hear what 
she had to communicate, and even that she should learn it 
abruptly. 

“You know how it is with father sometimes, Judith,” 
she said. “When overtaken with liquor he doesn’t always 
know what he says or does — and he seems to be overtaken 
with liquor now.” 

“ That is strange ! Would the savages have drunk with 
him and then leave him behind? But ’tis a grievous sight 
to a child, Hetty, to witness such a failing in a parent, and 
we will not go near him till he wakes.” 

A groan from the inner room, however, changed this 
resolution, and the girls ventured near a parent whom it 
was no unusual thing for them to find in a condition that 
lowers a man to the level of brutes. He was seated re- 
clining in a corner of a narrow room, with his shoulders 
supported by the angle and his head fallen heavily on his 
chest. Judith moved forward, with a sudden impulse, and 
removed a canvas cap that was forced so low on his head 
as to conceal his face, and, indeed, all but his shoulders. 
The instant this obstacle was taken away, the quivering 
and raw flesh, the bared veins and muscles, and all the 
other disgusting signs of mortality as they are revealed by 
tearing away the skin, showed he had been scalped, though 
still living. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


34^ 


CHAPTER XXL 

“ Lightly they’ll talk of the spirit that’s gone, 

And o’er his cold ashes upbraid him ; 

But nothing he’ll reck, if they let him sleep on, 

In the grave where a Briton has laid him.” — Disputed. 

The reader must imagine the horror that daughters would 
experience at unexpectedly beholding the shocking spec- 
tacle that was placed before the eyes of Judith and Esther, 
as related in the close of the last chapter. We shall pass 
over the first emotions, the first acts of filial piety, and 
proceed with the narrative by imagining rather than re- 
, lating most of the revolting features of the scene. The 
mutilated and ragged head was bound up, the unseemly 
blood was wiped from the face of tlie sufferer, the other 
appliances required by appearances and care were resorted 
to, and there was time to inquire into the more serious 
circumstances of the case. The facts were never known 
until years later in all their details, simple as they were ; 
but they may as well be related here, as it can be done in 
a few words. In the struggle with the Hurons H utter 
had been stabbed by the knife of the old warrior, who had 
used the discretion to remove the arms of every one but 
himself. Being hard pushed by his sturdy foe, his knife 
settled the matter. This occurred just as the door was 
opened and Hurry burst out upon the platform, as has 
been previously related. This was the secret of neither 
party’s having appeared in the subsequent struggle ; Hut- 
ter having been literally disabled, and his conqueror being 
ashamed to be seen with the traces of blood about him, 
after having used so many injunctions to convince his 
young warriors of the necessity of taking their prisoners 
alive. When the three Hurons returned from the chase, 
and it was determined to abandon the castle and join the 
party on the land, Hutter was simply scalped, to secure 
the usual trophy, and was left to die by inches, as has been 
done in a thousand similar instances by the ruthless 
warriors of this part of the American continent. Had the 
injury of Hutter been confined to his head, he might have 


THE DEERSLAYER. 347 

recovered, however ; for it was the blow of the knife that 
proved mortal. 

There are moments of vivid consciousness when the 
stern justice of God stands forth in colors so prominent 
as to defy any attempts to veil them from the sight, hoAv- 
ever unpleasant they may appear or however anxious we 
may be to avoid recognizing it. Such was now the facr 
with Judith and Hetty, who both perceived the decrees of 
a retributive Providence, in the manner of their father’s suf- 
fering, as a punishment for his own recent attempts on the 
Iroquois. This was seen and felt by Judith, with the keen- 
ness of perception and sensibility that were suited to her 
character ; while the impression made on the simpler mind 
ot her sister was perhaps less lively, though it might well 
have proved more lasting. 

“O Judith ! ” exclaimed the weak-minded girl, as soon 
as their first care had been bestowed on the sufferer. 
“Father went for scalps himself, and now where is his 
own ? The Bible might have foretold this punishment ?” 

“Flush — Hetty — hush, poor sister — he opens his eyes; 
he may hear and understand you. ’Tis as you say and 
think ; but ’tis too dreadful to speak of ! ” 

“Water — ” ejaculated Hutter, as it might be by a des- 
perate effort, that rendered his voice frightfully deep and 
strong, for one as near death as he evidently was — ” water 
— foolish girls — will you let me die of thirst ? ” 

Water was brought and administered to the sufferer ; 
the first he had tasted in hours of physical anguish. It 
had the double effect of clearing his throat and of mo- 
mentarily reviving his sinking system. His eyes opened 
with that anxious, distended gaze, which is apt to accom- 
pany the passage of a souT surprised by death, and he 
seemed disposed to speak. 

“Father — ’’ said Judith, inexpressibly pained by his de- 
plorable situation, and this so much the more from her ig- 
norance of what remedies ought to be applied — “ father, 
can we do anything for you ? Can Hetty and I relieve 
your pain?’’ 

“ Father ! ” slowly repeated the old man. “ No, Judith 
— no, Hetty — I’m no father. 5/z^was your mother,. but I’m 
no father. Look in the chest — ’tis all there — give me more 
water.” 


J48 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


The girls complied ; and Judith, whose early recollec- 
tions extended farther back than her sister’s, and who, on 
every account, had more distinct impressions of the past, 
felt an uncontrollable impulse of joy as she heard these 
words. There had never been much sympathy between 
her reputed father and herself, and suspicions of this very 
truth had often glanced across her mind, in consequence 
of dialogues she had overheard between Flutter and her 
mother. It might be going too far to say that she had never 
loved him ; but it is not so to add that she rejoiced it was 
no longer a duty. With Hetty the feeling was different. 
Incapable of making all the distinctions of her sister, her 
very nature was full of affection, and she had loved her re- 
puted parent, though far less tenderly than the real parent ; 
and it grieved her, now, to hear him declare he was not 
naturally entitled to that love. She felt a double grief, as 
if his death and his words together were twice depriving 
her of parents. Yielding to her feelings, the poor girl went 
aside and wept. 

The very opposite emotions of the two girls kept both 
silent for a long time. Judith gave water to the sufferer 
frequently, but she forbore to urge liim with questions, in 
some measure out of consideration for his condition ; but, 
if truth must be said, quite as much lest something he 
should add, in the way of explanation, might disturb her 
pleasing belief that she was not Thomas Hutter’s cliild. At 
length Hetty dried her tears, and came and seated herself 
on a stool by the side of the dying man, who had been 
placed at his length on the floor, with his head supported 
by some worn vestments that had been left in the house. 

“Father,” she said, “you will let me call you father, 
though you say you are not one — father, shall I read the 
Bible to you — mother always said the Bible was good for 
people in trouble, She was often in trouble herself, and 
then she made me read the Bible to her ; for Judith wasn’t 
as fond of the Bible as I am — and it always did her good. 
Many is the time I’ve known mother to begin to listen with 
the tears streaming from her eyes, and end with smiles 
and gladness. Oh, father, you don’t know how much good 
the Bible can do, for you’ve never tried it — now. I’ll read a 
chapter, and it will soften your heart, as it softened the 
hearts of the Hurons.” 


349 


THE DEEKSLA YET. 

Wiiile poor ■ f'tty had so much reverence for, and faith 
in, the virtue ne Bible, her intellect was too shallow to 
enable her fuliy to appreciate its beauties, or to fathom its 
profound and sometimes mysterious wisdom. That instinc- 
tive sense of right, which appeared to shield her from the 
commission of wrong, and even to cast a mantle of moral 
loveliness and truth around her character, could not pene- 
trate abstrusities, or trace the nice affinities between cause 
and effect, beyond their more obvious and indisputable con- 
nection, though she seldom failed to see the latter, and to 
defer to all their just consequences. In a word, she was 
one of those who feel and act correctly, without being able 
to give a logical reason for it, even admitting revelation as 
her authority. Her selections from the Bible, therefore, 
were commonly distinguished by the simplicity of her own 
mind, and were oftener marked for containing images of 
known and palpable things, than for any of the higher caste 
of moral truths with which the pages of that wonderful 
book abound — wonderful and unequalled, even without re- 
ferring to its divine origin, as a work replete with the pro- 
foundest philosophy, expressed in the noblest language. 
Her mother, with a connection that will probably strike 
the reader, had been fond of the book of Job ; and Hetty 
had, in a great measure, learned to read by the frequent 
lessons she had received from the different chapters of this 
venerable and sublime poem — now believed to be the old-- 
est book in the world. On this occasion the poor girl was 
submissive to her training, and she turned to that well- 
known part of the sacred volume with the readiness with 
which the practised counsel would cite his authorities from 
the stores of legal wisdom. In selecting the particular 
-chapter, she was influenced by the caption, and she chose 
that which stands in our English version as Job exciiseth 
his desire of deaths This she read steadily, from beginning 
to end, in a sweet, low, and plaintive voice ; hoping de- 
voutly that the allegorical and abstruse sentences might 
convey to the heart of the sufferer the consolation he 
needed. It is another peculiarity of tlie comprehensive 
wisdom of the Bible, that scarce a chapter, unless it be 
strictly narrative, can be turned to, that does not contain 
some of the searching truth that is applicable to the con- 
dition of every human heart, as well as to the temporal 


7'HE DEERSLAYE. 


350 

State of its owner, either through tl . \-“orkings of that 
heart, or even in a still more direct foi iij. In this instance, 
the very opening sentence — “/y there not nn appointed time 
toman on earth ? ” — was startling ; and as Hetty proceeded, 
Hutter applied, or fancied he could apply, many aphor- 
isms and figures to his own worldly and mental condition. 
As life is ebbing fast, the mind clings eagerly to hope, 
when it is not absolutely crushed by despair. The solemn 
words — “ 1 have sinned ; what shall J do unto thee^ O thou pre- 
server of men ? JVhy hast thou set me as a mark against thee^ so 
that I am a burden to myself V struck Hutter more percep- 
tibly than the others ; and, though too obscure for one of 
his blunted feelings and obtuse mind either to feel or to 
comprehend in their fullest extent, they had a directness 
of application to his own state that caused him to wince 
under them. 

“ Don’t you feel better now, father ? ” asked Hetty, clos- 
ing the volume. “ Mother was always better when she 
had read the Bible.” 

“ Water,” returned Hutter; ‘'give me water, Judith, I 
wonder if my tongue will always be so hot ! Hetty, isn’t 
there something in the Bible about cooling the tongue of 
a man who was burning in hell-fire ?” 

Judith turned away, shocked ; but Hetty eagerly sought 
the passage, which she read aloud to the conscience-stricken 
victim of his own avaricious longings. 

“That’s it, poor Hetty; yes, that’s it. My tongue wants 
cooling now ; what will it be hereafterV' 

This appeal silenced even the confiding Hetty, for she 
had no answer ready for a confession so fraught with de- 
spair. Water, so long as it could relieve the sufferer, it 
was in the power of the sister to give ; and, from time to 
time, it v.’as offered to the lips of the sufferer as he asked 
for it. Even Judith prayed. As for Hetty, as soon as she 
found that her efforts to make her father listen to her 
texts were no longer rewarded with success, she knelt at 
his side, and devoutly repeated the words which the Sav- 
iour has left behind him as a model for human petitions. 
This she continued to do, at intervals, as long as it seemed 
to her that the act could benefit the dying man. Hutter, 
however, lingered longer than the girls had believed possi- 
ble, when they first found him. At times he spoke intelli- 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


351 

gibly, though his ’ . oftener moved in utterance of sounds 
that carried no aistinct impressions to the mind. Judith 
listened intently, and she heard the words “husband,” 
“death,” “pirate,” “law,” “scalps,” and several others of 
a similar import, thougli there was no sentence to tell the 
precise connection in which they were used. Still they 
were sufficiently expressive to be understood by one whose 
ears had not escaped all the rumors that had been circu- 
lated to her reputed father’s discredit, and whose compre- 
hension was as quick as her faculties were attentive. 

During the whole of the painfid hour that succeeded, 
neither of the sisters bethought her sufficiently of the 
Hiirons to dread their return. It seemed as if their deso- 
lation and grief placed them above the danger of such an 
interruption ; and when the sound of oars was at length 
heard, even Judith, who alone had any reason to apprehend 
the enemy, did not start, but at once understood that the 
ark was near. She went upon the platform fearlessly ; 
for, should it turn out that Hurry was not there, and that 
the Hurons were masters of the scow also, escape was im- 
possible. Then she had the sort of confidence that is in- 
spired by extreme misery. But there was no cause for 
any new alarm —Chingachgook, Hist, and Hurry, all stand- 
ing in the open part of the scow, cautiously examining the 
building, to make certain of the absence of the enemy. 
They, too, had seen the departure of the Hurons, as well 
as the approach of the canoe of the girls to the castle, and, 
presuming, on the latter fact, March had swept the scow 
up to the platform. A word sufficed to explain that there 
was nothing to be apprehended, and the ark was soon 
moored in her old berth. 

Judith said not a word concerning the condition of her 
father, but Hurry knew her too well not to understand 
that something was more than usually wrong. He led 
the way, though with less of his confident bold manner 
than usual, into the house, and penetrating to the inner 
room, found Hutter lying on his back, with Hetty sitting 
at his side, fanning him with pious care. The events of 
the morning had sensibly changed the manner of Hurry. 
Notwithstanding his skill as a swimmer, and the readiness 
with which he had adopted the only expedient that could 
possibly save him, the helplessness of being in the water, 


352 


THE EE EE SLA y.;.. 

bound hand and foot, had produced f o \e ? uch an effect on 
him as the near approach of punish; •■‘lU is known to pro- 
duce on most criminals, leaving a vivid impression of the 
horrors of death upon his mind, and this, too, in connec- 
tion with a picture of bodily helplessness ; the daring of 
this man being far more the offspring of vast physical 
powers than of the energy of the will, or even of natural 
spirit. Such heroes invariably lose a large portion of 
their courage with the failure of their strength ; and, 
though Harry was now unfettered, and as vigorous as 
ever, events were too recent to permit the recollection of 
his late deplorable condition to be at all weakened. Had 
he lived a century, the occurrences of the few momentous 
minutes during which he was in the lake, would have pro- 
duced a chastening effect on his character, if not always 
on his manner. 

Hurry was not only shocked when he found his late as- 
sociate in this desperate situation, but he was greatly sur- 
prised. During the struggle in the building he had been 
far too much occupied himself to learn what had befallen 
his comrade, and, as no deadly weapon had been used in 
his particular case, but every effort had been made to cap- 
ture him without injury, he naturally believed that Hutter 
had been overcome, while he owed his own escape to his 
great bodily strength, and to a fortunate concurrence of 
extraordinary circumstances. Death, in the silence and 
solemnity of a chamber, was a novelty to him. Though 
accustomed to scenes of violence, he had been unused to 
sit by the bedside and watch the slow beating of the pulse 
as it gradually grew weaker and weaker. Notwithstand- 
ing the change in his feelings, the manners of a life could 
not be altogether cast aside in a moment, and the unexpected 
scene extorted a characteristic speech from the borderer. 

“ How now ? old Tom,” he said, “ have the vagabonds 
got you at an advantage where you’re not only down, but 
are likely to be kept down! I thought you a captyve, it’s 
true, but never supposed you so hard run as this ! ” 

Hutter opened his glassy eyes, and stared wildly at the 
speaker. A flood of confused recollections rushed on his 
wavering mind at the sight of his late comrade. It was 
evident that he struggled with his own images, and knew 
not the real from the unreal. 


THE DEEKSLAYER. 


353 


“ Who are ^oii ? ” he asked in a husky whisper, his fail- 
ing strength refusing to aid him in a louder effort of his 
voice. “ Who are you ? You look like the mate of 
the Snow — he was a giant, too, and near overcoming 
us.” 

“ I’m your mate. Floating Tom, and your comrade, but 
have nothing to do with any snow. It’s summer now, and 
Harry March always quits the hills as soon after the frosts 
sets in as is convenient.” 

“ I know you — Harry Scurry — Til sell you a scalp ! a 
sound one, and of a full-grown man — what’ll you give ?” 

“ Poor Tom ! That scalp business hasn’t turned out at 
all profitable, and I’ve pretty much concluded to give it 
up, and to follow a less bloody calling.” 

“ Have you got any scalp ? Mine’s gone — how does 
it feel to have a scalp ? I know how it feels to lose one 
— fire and flames about the brain — and a wrenching at 
the heart — no, no — kill firsts Hurry, and scalp after- 
ward” 

“ What does the old fellow mean, Judith ? He talks like 
one that is getting tired of the business as well as myself. 
Why have you bound up his head ? or have the savages 
tomahawked him about the brains ?” 

“ They have done that for him which you and he, Harry 
March, would have so gladly done for theju. His skin and 
hair have been torn from his head to gain money from 
the Governor of Canada, as you would have torn theirs 
from the heads of the Hurons, to gain money from the 
Governor of York.” 

Judith spoke with a strong effort to appear composed, 
but it was neither in her nature, nor in the feeling of the 
moment, to speak altogether without bitterness. The 
strength of her emphasis, indeed, as well as her manner, 
caused Hetty to look up reproachfully. 

“These are high words to come from Thomas Hutter’s 
darter, as Thomas H utter lies dying before her eyes,” re- 
torted Hurry. 

“ God be praised for that ! — whatever reproach it may 
bring on my poor mother, I am not Thomas Hutter’s 
daughter.” 

“ Not Thomas Hutter’s darter ! Don’t disown the old 
fellow in his last moments, Judith, for that's a sin the Lord 

23 


354 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


will never overlook. If you’re not Thomas Hutter’s dar- 
ter, whose darter be you ” 

This question rebuked the rebellious spirit of Judith ; 
for, in getting rid of a parent whom slie felt it was a relief 
to find she might own she had never loved, she overlooked 
the important circumstance that no substitute was ready 
to supply his place. 

“ I cannot tell you, Harry, who my father was,” she -an- 
swered more mildly ; “ I hope he was an honest man, at 
least.” 

“ Which is more than you think was the case with old 
Hutter ? Well, Judith, I’ll not deny that hard stories were 
in circulation consarning Floating Tom, but who is there 
that doesn’t get a scratch when an inimy holds the rake? 
There’s them that say hard things of me; and you, 

beauty as you be, don’t always escape.” 

This was said with a view to set up a species of com- 
munity of character between the parties, and, as the poli- 
ticians are wont to express it, with ulterior intentions. 
What might have been the consequences with one of Ju- 
dith’s known spirit, as well as her assured antipathy to the 
speaker, it is not easy to say ; for, just then, Hutter gave 
unequivocal signs that his last moment was nigh. Judith 
and Hetty had stood by the dying bed of their mother, 
and neither needed a monitor to warn them of the crisis, 
and every sign of resentment vanished from the face of 
the first. Hutter opened his eyes, and even tried to feel 
about him with his hands, a sign that sight was failing. 
A minute later his breathing grew ghastly ; a pause total- 
ly without respiration followed ; and, then, succeeded the 
last, long-drawn sigh, on which the spirit is supposed to 
quit the body. This sudden termination of the life of one 
who had hitherto filled so important a place in the narrow 
scene on which he had been an actor, put an end to all 
discussion. 

The day passed by without further interruption, the 
Hurons, though possessed of a canoe, appearing so far sat- 
isfied with their success as to have relinquished all imme- 
diate designs on the castle. It would not have been a safe 
undertaking, indeed, to approach it under the rifles of 
those it was now known to contain, and it is probable that 
the truce was more owing to this circumstance than to 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


355 


any otlier. In the meanwhile, the preparations were made 
for the interment of Hutter. To bury him on the land 
was impracticable, and it was Hetty’s wish that his body 
should lie by the side of that of her mother, in the lake. 
She had it in her power to quote one of his speeches, in 
which he himself had called the lake the “ family burying- 
ground,” and luckily this was done without the knowledge 
of her sister, who would have opposed the plan, had she 
known it, with unconquerable disgust. But Judith had 
not meddled with the arrangement, and every necessary 
disposition was made without her privity or advice. 

The hour chosen for the rude ceremony was just as the 
sun was setting, and a moment and a scene more suited to 
paying the last office to one of calm and pure spirit, could 
not have been chosen. There are a mystery and a solemn 
dignity in death, that dispose the living to regard the re- 
mains of even a malefactor with a certain degree of rever- 
ence. All worldly distinctions have ceased ; it is thought 
that the veil has been removed, and that the character and 
destiny of the departed are now as much beyond human 
opinions as they are beyond human ken. In nothing is 
death more truly a leveller than in this, since, while it 
may be impossible absolutely to confound the great with 
the low, the worthy with the unworthy, the mind feels it 
to be arrogance to assume a right to judge of those who 
are believed to be standing at the judgment-seat of God. 
When Judith was told that all was ready, she went upon 
the platform, passive to the request of her sister, and then 
she first took heed of the arrangem.ent The body was in 
the scow, enveloped in a sheet, and quite a hundred 
weight of stones, that had been taken from the fireplace, 
were enclosed with it in order that it might sink. No 
other preparation seemed to be thought necessary, though 
Hetty carried her Bible beneath her arm. 

When all were on board the ark, this singular habitation 
of the man whose body it now bore to its final abode, was 
set in motion. Hurry was at the oars. In his powerful 
hands, indeed, they seemed little or more than a pair of 
sculls, which were yielded without effort, and, as he was 
expert in their use, the Delaware remained a passive spec- 
tator of the proceedings. The progress of the ark had 
something of the stately solemnity of a funeral procession, 


356 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


the dip of the oars being measured, and the movem' nt 
slow and steady. The wash of the water, as the 'blades 
rose and fell, kept time with the efforts of Hurry, and 
might have been likened to the measured tread of mourn- 
ers. Then the tranquil scene was in beautiful accordance 
with a rite that ever associates with itself the idea of God. 
At that instant the lake had not even a single ripple on 
its glassy surface, and the broad panorama of woods 
seemed to look down on the holy tranquillity of the hour 
and ceremony in melancholy stillness. Judith was affected 
to tears, and even Hurry, though he hardly knew why, 
was troubled. Hetty preserved the outward signs of tran- 
quillity, but her inward grief greatly surpassed that of her 
sister, since her affectionate heart loved more from habit 
and long association, than from the usual connections of 
sentiment and taste. She was sustained by religious hope, 
however, which in her simple mind usually occupied the 
space that worldly feelings filled in that of Judith ; and 
she was not without an expectation of witnessing some 
open manifestation of divine power, on an occasion so 
solemn. Still, she was neither mystical nor exaggerated, 
her mental imbecility denying both. Nevertheless her 
thoughts had generally so much of the purity of a better 
world about them, that it was easy for her to forget earth 
altogether, and to think only of heaven. Hist was serious, 
attentive, and interested, for she had often seen the inter- 
ments of the pale-faces, though never one that promised to 
be as peculiar as this : while the Delaware, though grave, 
and also observant in his demeanor, was stoical and calm. 

Hetty acted as pilot, directing Hurry how to proceed, 
to find that spot in the lake which she was in the habit of 
terming “ mother’s grave.” The reader will remember 
that the castle stood near the southern extremity of a 
shoal that extended near half a mile northerly, and it was 
at the farthest end of this shallow water that Floating Tom 
had seen fit to deposit the remains of his wife and child. 
His own were now in the course of being placed at their 
side. Hetty had marks on the land by which she usually 
found, the spot, although the position of the buildings, tlie 
general direction of the shoal, and the beautiful transpar- 
ency of the water, all aided her, the latter even allowing 
the bottom to be seen. By these means the girl was eii- 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


357 


abled to n :te their progress, and at the proper time she 
approached March, whispering : 

“ Now, Hurry, you can stop rowing. We have passed 
the stone on the bottom, and mothers grave is near.” 

March ceased his efforts, immediately dropping the 
hedge, and taking the warp in his hand, in order to check 
tiie scow. The ark turned slowly round under this re- 
straint, and when it was quite stationary, Hetty was seen 
at its stern, pointing into the water, the tears streaming 
from her eyes, in ungovernable natural feeling. Judith 
had been present at the interment of her mother, but she 
had never visited the spot since. This neglect proceeded 
from no indifference to the memory of the deceased ; for 
she had loved her mother^ and bitterly had she found occa- 
sion to mourn her loss ; but she was averse to the contem- 
plation of death ; and there had been passages in her own 
life since the day of that interment which increased this 
feeling, and rendered her, if possible, still more reluctant 
to approach the spot that contained the remains of one 
whose severe lessons of female morality and propriety had 
been deepened and rendered doubly impressive by remorse 
for her own failings. With Hetty, the case had been very 
different. To her simple and innocent mind, the remem- 
brance of her mother brought no other feeling than one of 
gentle sorrow ; a grief that is so often termed luxurious 
even, because it associates with itself the images of excel- 
lence and the purity of a better state of existence. For 
an entire summer, she had been in the habit of repairing 
to the place after nightfall : and, carefully anchoring her 
canoe so as not to disturb the body, she would sit and hold 
fancied conversations with the deceased, sing sweet hymns 
to the evening air, and repeat the orisons that the being 
who now slumbered below had taught her in infancy. 
Hetty had passed her happiest hours in this indirect com- 
munion with the spirit of her mother ; the wildness of 
Indian traditions and Indian opinions, unconsciously to 
herself, mingling with the Christian lore received in child- 
iiood. Once she had even been so far influenced by the 
former, as to have bethought her of performing some of 
these physical rites at her mother’s grave, which the red 
men are known to observe ; but the passing feeling had 
been obscured by the steady though mild light of Christi- 


358 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


anity, which never ceased to burn in her gentle bosom. 
Now, her emotions were merely the natural utpourings 
of a daughter that wept for a mother whose love was in- 
delibly impressed on the heart, and whose lessons had been 
too earnestly ta;ught to be easily forgotten by one who had 
so little temptation to err. 

There was no other priest than Nature at that wild and 
singular funeral rite. March cast his eyes below, and 
through the transparent medium of the clear water, which 
was almost as pure as air, he saw what Hetty was accus- 
tomed to call “ mother’s grave.” It was a low straggling 
mound of earth, fashioned by no spade, out of a corner of 
which gleamed a bit of the white cloth that formed the 
shroud of the dead. The body had been lowered to the 
bottom, and Hutter brought earth from the shore and let 
it fall upon it until all was concealed. In this state the 
place had remained until the movement of the waters re- 
vealed the solitary sign of the uses of the spot that has 
just been mentioned. 

Even the most rude and brawling are chastened by the 
ceremonies of a funeral. March felt no desire to indulge 
his voice in any of its coarse outbreakings, and was dis- 
posed to complete the office he had undertaken in decent 
sobriety. Perhaps he reflected upon the retribution that 
had alighted on his late comrade, and bethought him of 
the frightful jeopardy in which his own life had so lately 
been placed. He signified to Judith that all was ready, 
received her directions to proceed, and, with no other as- 
sistant than his own vast strength, raised the body and 
bore it to the end of the scow. Two parts of a rope were 
passed beneath the legs and shoulders, as they are placed 
beneath coffins, and then the corpse was slowly lowered 
beneath the surface of the lake. 

“Not tJm'e — Harry March — no, not there^'' said Judith, 
shuddering involuntarily ; ‘‘do not lower it quite so near 
the spot where mother lies ! ” 

“Why not, Judith?” asked Hetty, earnestly. “They 
lived together in life, and should lie together in death.” 

“ No — no — Harry March, farther off — farther off. Poor 
Hetty, you know not what you say. Leave me to order 
this.” 

“ I know I am weak-minded, Judith, and that you are 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


359 


clever ; but surely a husband should be placed near a wife. 
Mother always said that this was the way they bury in 
Christian church-yards.” 

This little controversy was conducted earnestly, but in 
smothered voices, as if the speakers feared that ihe dead 
might overhear them. Judith could not contend with her 
sister at such a moment, but a significant gesture from her 
induced March to lower the body at a little distance from 
that of the wife, when he withdrew the cords, and the act 
was performed. 

“There’s an end of Floating Tom !” exclaimed Hurry, 
bending over the scow, and gazing through the water at 
the body. “ He was a brave companion on a scout, and a 
notable hand with traps. Don’t weep, Judith — don’t be 
overcome, Hetty, for the righteousest of us all must die ; and 
when the time comes, lamentations and tears can’t bring 
the dead to life. Your father will be a loss to you, no 
doubt ; most fathers are a loss, especially to onmarried 
darters ; but there’s a way to cure that evil, and you’re 
both too young and handsome to live long without finding 
it out. When it’s agreeable to hear what an honest and 
onpretending man has to say, Judith, I should like to talk 
a little with you apart.” 

Judith had scarcely attended to this rude attempt of 
Hurry’s at consolation, although she necessarily under- 
stood its general drift, and had a tolerably acute notion of 
its manner. She was weeping at the recollection of her 
mother’s early tenderness, and painful images of long-for- 
gotten lessons and neglected precepts were crowding her 
mind. The words of Hurry, however, recalled her to the 
present time, and, abrupt and unseasonable as was their 
import, they did not produce those signs of distaste that 
one might have expected from the girl’s character. On 
the contrary, she appeared to be struck with some sudden 
idea, gazed intently for a moment at the young man, dried 
her eyes, and led the way to the other end of the scow, 
signifying her wish for him to follow. Here she took a 
seat, and motioned for March to place himself at her side. 
The decision and earnestness with which all this was done 
a little intimidated her companion, and Judith found it 
necessary to open the subject herself. 

“You wish to speak to me of marriage, Harry March,” 


360 - THE DEERSLAYER. 

she said, ^^.and I have come here, over the grave of my 
parents, as it might be — no, no — over the grave of my 
poor, dear, dear mother, to hear what you have to say.” 

“ This is oncommon, and you have a skeerful way with 
you, this evening, Judith,” answered Hurry, more dis- 
turbed than he would have cared to own ; “ but truth is 
truth, and it shall come out, let what will follow. You 
well know, gal, that I’ve long thought you the comeliest 
young woman my eyes ever beheld, and that I’ve made 
no secret of that fact, either here on the lake, out among 
the hunters and trappers, or in the settlements.” 

“Yes — yes. I’ve heard this before, and I suppose it to 
be true,” answered Judith, with a sort of feverish impa- 
tience. 

“ When a young man holds such language of any par- 
ticular young woman, it’s reasonable to calculate he sets 
store by her.” 

“ True — true. Hurry — all this you’ve told me, again and 
again.” 

“Well, if it’s agreeable, I should think a woman couldn’t 
hear it too often. They all tell me this is the way with 
your sex — that nothing pleases them more than to repeat, 
over and over, for the hundredth time, how much you 
like ’em, unless it be to talk to ’em of their good looks ! ” 

“No doubt — we like both on most occasions; but this 
is an uncommon moment. Hurry, and vain words should 
not be too freely used. I would rather hear you speak 
plainly.” 

“ You shall have your own way, Judith, and I some sus- 
pect you always will. I’ve often told you that I not only 
like you better than any other young woman going, or, 
for that matter, better than all the young women going ; 
but you must have obsarved, Judith, that I’ve never asked 
you, in up-and-down tarms, to marry me.” 

“ I have observed both,” returned the girl, a smile strug- 
gling about her beautiful mouth, in spite of the singular 
and engrossing intentness which caused her cheeks to tlusli 
and lighted her eyes with a brilliancy that was almost daz- 
zling — “ I have observed both, and have thought the last 
remarkable for a man of Harry March’s decision and fear- 
lessness.” 

“ There’s been a reason, gal, and it’s one that troubles 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


me even now' — nay, don’t flush up so, and look fierylike, 
for there are thoughts which will stick long in any man’s 
mind, as there be words that will stick in his throat — but 
then, ag’in, there’s feelin’s that will get the better of ’em 
all, and to these leelin’s I find I must submit. You’ve no 
longer a father or a mother, Judith, and it’s morally im- 
possible that you and Hetty could live here alone, allowing 
it was peace and the Iroquois was quiet ; but, as matters 
stand, not only would you starve, but you’d both be pris- 
oners, or scalped, afore a week was out. It’s time to think 
of a change and a husband, and, if you’ll accept of me, 
all that’s past shall be forgotten, and there’s an end on’t.” 

Judith had difficulty in repressing her impatience until 
this rude declaration and offer were made, which she evi- 
dently wished to hear, and which she now listened to with 
a willingness that might well have excited hope. She 
hardly allowed the young man to conclude, so eager was 
she to bring him to the point, and so ready to answer. 

“ There, Hurry, that’s enough,” she said, raising a hand, 
as if to stop him ; “ I understand you as well as if you 
were to talk a month. You prefer me to other girls, and 
you wish me to become your wife.” . _ 

“ You put it in better words than I can do, Judith, and 
I wish you to fancy them said, just as you most like to 
hear ’em.” 

“ They’re plain enougli. Hurry, and ’tis fitting they 
should be so. This is no place to trifle or deceive in. 
Now, listen to my answer, which shall be, in every tittle, 
as sincere as your offer. There is a reason, March, why I 
should never ” 

“ I suppose I understand you, Judith ; but if I’m willing 
to overlook that reason, it’s no one’s consarn but mine. 
Now, don’t brighten up like the sky at sundown ; for no 
offence is meant, and none should be taken.” 

“ I do not brighten up, and will not take offence,” said 
Judith, struggling to repress her indignation, in a way she 
had never found it necessary to exert before. “ There is 
a reason why I should not, cannot^ ever be your wife, Hur- 
ry, that you seem to overlook, and which it is my duty now 
to tell you, as plainly as you have asked me to consent to 
become so. I do not, and I am certain that I never shall 
love you well enough to many you. No man can wish 


: i 62 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


for a wife who does not prefer him to all otnc.' men ; and 
when I tell you this frankly, I suppose you yourself will 
thank me for my sincerity.” 

“O Judith, them flaunting, gay, scarlet-coated officers 
of the garrison have done all this mischief ! ” 

“ Hush, March ! do not calumniate a daughter over her 
mother’s grave. Do not, when I only wish to treat you 
fairly, give me reason to call for evil on your head, in bit- 
terness of heart ! Do not forget that I am a woman, and 
that you are a man ; and that I have neither father nor 
brother to revenge your words,” 

“Well, there is something in the last, and I’ll say no 
more. Take time, Judith, and think better on this.” 

“ I want no time ; my mind has long been made up, and 
I have only waited for you to speak plainly to answer 
plainly. We now understand each other, and there is no 
use in saying any more.” 

The impetuous earnestness of the girl awed the young 
man, for never before had he seen her so serious and de- 
termined. In most of their previous interviews she had 
met his advances with evasion or sarcasm ; but these Hur- 
ry had mistaken for female coquetry, and had supposed 
might easily be converted into consent. The struggle had 
been wdth himself, about offering ; nor had he ever seri- 
ously believed it possible that Judith would refuse to be- 
come the wife of the handsomest man on all that frontier. 
Now that the refusal came, and that in terms so decided 
as to put all cavilling out of the question, if not absolutely 
dumbfounded, he was so much mortified and surprised as 
to feel no wish to attempt to change her resolution. 

“ The Glimmerglass has now no great call for me,” he 
exclaimed after a minute’s silence. Old Tom is gone ; 
the Hurons are as plenty on shore as pigeons in the woods, 
and, altogether, it is getting to be an onsuitable place.” 

“ Then leave it. You see it surrounded by dangers, and 
there is no reason why you should risk your life for others. 
Nor do I know that you can be of any service to us. Go 
to-night ; we’ll never accuse you of having done anything 
forgetful or unmanly.” 

“ If I go, ’twill be with a heavy heart on your account, 
Judith ; I would^ rather take you with me.” 

“ That is not to be spoken of any longer, March ; but I 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


363 


will land yoi in c.ie of the canoes, as soon as it is dark, 
and you can .'<-iik6 :rail for the nearest garrison. When 
you reach the fort, i. you send a party ” 

Judith smothered the words, for she felt that it was hu- 
miliating to be thus exposing herself to the comments and 
reflections of one who was not disposed to view her con- 
duct in connection with all in these garrisons with an eye 
of favor. Hurry, however, caught the idea ; and, without 
perverting it, as the girl dreaded, he answered to the pur- 
pose. 

I understand what you would say, and why you don’t 
say it,” he replied. “ If I get safe to the fort, a party shall 
start on the trail of these vagabonds, and I’ll come with it 
myself ; for I should like to see you and Hetty in a place 
of safety, before we part forever.” 

“ Ah, Harry March, had you always spoken thus, felt 
thus, my feelings toward you might have been different! ” 

“ Is it too late, now, Judith ? I’m rough, and a woods- 
man ; but we all change under diflferenfe treatment from 
what we have been used to.” 

“ It is too late, March. I can never feel toward you, or 
any other man but otie, as you would wish to have me. 
There, I’ve said enough, surely, and you will question me 
no further. As soon as it is dark, I or the Delaware will 
put you on the shore ; you will make the best of your 
way to the Moliawk and the nearest garrison, and send all 
you can to our assistance. And, Hurry, we are now friends, 
and I may trust you, may I not ? ” 

“ Sartain, Judith; though our fri’ndship would have 
been' all the warmer could you look upon me as I look 
upon you.” 

Judith hesitated, and some powerful emotion was strug- 
gling within her. Then, as if determined to look down all 
weaknesses, and accomplish her purposes at every hazard, 
she spoke more plainly : 

“ You will find a captain of the name of Warley, at the 
nearest post,” she said, pale as death, and even trembling 
as she spoke ; “ I think it likely he will wish to head the 
party ; I would greatly prefer it should be another. If 
Captain \Yarley can be kept back, ’twould make me very 
happy.” 

“That’s easier said than done, Judith; for these offi- 


364 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


cers do pretty much as they please. The major will or- 
der, and captains, and lieutenants, and ensigns must obey. 
I know the officer you mean ; a red-faced, gay, oh !-be-joy- 
ful sort of a gentleman, who swallows Madeira enough to 
drown the Mohawk, and yet a pleasant talker. All the 
gals in the valley admire him ; and they say he admires all 
the gals. I don’t wonder he is your dislike, Judith, for 
he’s a very gin’ral lover, if he isn’t a gin’ral officer.” 

Judith did not answer, though her frame shook, and 
her color changed from pale to crimson ; and from crimson 
back again to the hue of death. 

“Alas! my poor mother!” she ejaculated, mentally, 
instead of uttering it aloud : “ we are over thy grave, but 
little dost thou know how much thy lessons have been for- 
gotten ; thy care neglected ; thy love defeated.” 

As the goading of the worm that never dies was felt, she 
arose, and signified to Hurry that she had no more to 
communicate. 


CHAPTER XXII. 

“ That point 

In misery which makes the oppressed man 
Regardless of his own life, makes him too 
Lord of the oppressor’s ” 

— Coleridge. 

All this time Hetty had remained seated in the head of 
the scow, looking sorrowfully into the water, which held 
the body of her mother, as well as that of the man whom 
she had been taught to consider her father. Hist stood 
near her in gentle quigt, but had no consolation to offer in 
words. The habits of her people taught her reserve in 
this respect ; and the habits of her sex induced her to wait 
patiently for a moment when she might manifest some 
soothing sympathy by means of acts, rather than of speech. 
Chingachgook held himself a little aloof, in grave reserve, 
looking like a warrior, but feeling like a man. 

Judith joined her sister, with an air of dignity and so- 
lemnity it was not her practice to show ; and, Xhough the 
gleamings of anguish were still visible on her beautifnl 
face, when she spoke it was firmly and without tremor. 


THE DEERSHiYER, 365 

At that instant, Hist and the Delaware withdrew, moving 
toward Hurry in the other end of the boat. 

“Sister,” said Judith kindly, “I have much to say to 
you ; we will get into this canoe, and paddle off to a dis- 
tance from the ark — the secrets of two orphans ought not 
to be heard by every ear.” 

“Certainly, Judith, by the ears of their parents. Let 
Hurry lift the grapnel, and move away with the ark, and 
leave us here, near the graves of father and mother, to say 
what we may have to say.” 

“Father!” repeated Judith, slowly, the blood for the 
first time since her parting with March, mounting to her 
cheeks ; “ he was no father of ours, Hetty ! That we had 
from his own mouth, and in his dying moments.” 

“ Are you glad, Judith, to find you had no father? He 
took care of us, and fed us, and clothed us, and loved us ; 
a father could have done no more. I don't understand 
why he wasn't a father.” 

“Never mind, dear child, but let us do as you have said. 
It mav be well to remain here, and let the ark move a little 
away. Do you prepare the canoe, and I will tell Hurry 
and the Indians our wishes.” 

This was soon and simply done ; the ark moving, with 
measured strokes of the sweeps, a hundred yards from the 
spot, leaving the girls floating, seemingly in air, above the 
place of the dead, so buoyant was the light vessel that held 
them, and so limpid the element by which it was sustained. 

“The death of Thomas Hutter,” Judith commenced, 
after a short pause had prepared her sister to receive her 
communication, “ has altered all our prospects, Hetty. If 
he was not our father, we are siste?'s, and must feel alike 
and live together.” 

“ How do I know, Judith, that you wouldn’t be as glad 
to find I am not your sister, as you are in finding that 
Thomas Hutter, as you call him, was not your father ? I 
am only half-witted, and few people like to have half-witted 
relations ; and then I’m not handsome — at least, not as 
handsome as you — and you may wish a handsomer sister.” 

“No, no, Hetty. You, and you only, are my sister — my 
heart, and my love for you, tell me that — and mother was 
my mother — of that, too, am I glad and proud, for she was 
Ti mother to be proud of — but father was not father ! ” 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


366 

“Hush, Judith! His spirit may be near; it would 
grieve it to hear his children talking so, and that, too, over 
his very grave. Children should never grieve parents, 
mother often told me, and especially when they are dead ! ” 

“ Poor Hetty ! They are happily removed beyond all 
cares on our account. Nothing that / can do or say will 
cause mother any sorrow now — there is some consola- 
tion in that, at least— and nothing you can say or do, will 
make her smile, as she used to smile on your good con- 
duct when living.” 

“You don’t know that, Judith. Spirits can see, and 
mother may see as well as any spirit. She always told us 
that God saw all we did, and that we should do nothing to 
offend him ; and now she has left us, I strive to do noth- 
ing that can displease her. Think how her spirit would 
mourn and feel sorrow, Judith, did it see either of us do- 
ing what is not right ; and spirits may see, after all ; espe- 
cially the spirits of parents that feel anxious about their 
clrMren.” 

“ Hettv, Hetty — you know not what you say?” mur- 
mured Judith, almost livid with emotion. “The deadean- 
see, and know nothing of what passes here! But we 
will not talk of this any longer. The bodies of mother 
and Thomas Hutter lie together in the lake, and we will 
hope that the spirits of both are with God. That we, the 
children of one of them, remain on earth is certain ; it is 
now proper to know what we are to do in future.” 

“If we are not Thomas Hutter’s children, Judith, no 
one will dispute our right to his property. We have the 
castle, and the ark, and the canoes, and the woods, and 
the lakes, the same as when he was living ; and what can 
prevent us from staying here, and passing our lives just 
as we ever have done ? ” 

“No, no — poor sister. This can no longer be. Two 
girls would not be safe here, even should these Hurons 
fail in getting us into their power. Even father had as 
much as he could sometimes do to keep peace upon the 
lake ; and we should fail altogether. We must quit this 
spot, Hetty, and remove into the settlements.” 

“I am sorry you think so, Judith,” returned Hetty, 
drooping her head on her bosom, and looking thought- 
fully down at the spot where the funeral-pile of her mo- 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


ther could just be seen. “ I am very sorry to hear it. 
would rather stay here, wliere^ if I wasn’t born, I’ve passt 
my life. I don’t like the settleinents — they are full oi 
Avickedness and heart-burnings, while God dwells unof- 
fended in these hills ! I love the trees, and the moun- 
tains, and the lake, and the springs : all that his bounty 
lias given us, and it would grie\"e me sorely, Judith, to be 
forced to quit them. You are handsome and not at all 
half-witted, and one day you will marry, and then you 
will have a husband, and I a brother, to take care of us, 
if AA'omen can’t really take care of themseh^es in such a 
place as this.” 

“Ah! if this could be so, Hetty, then, indeed, I could 
now be a thousand times happier in these woods than in 
the settlements ! Once I did not feel tlnis, but nenv I do. 
Vet, Avhere is the man to turn this beautiful place into 
such a garden of Eden -for us ? ” 

“ Harry March loA^es you, sister,” returned poor Hetty, 
unconsciously picking the bark off the canoe as she spoke, 
“He would be glad to be your husband^I’m sure ; and a 
stouter and a braver youth is not to be met with the whole 
country round.” 

“ Harry March and I understand each other, and no 
more need be said about him. There is one — but no mat- 
ter. It is all in the hands of Providence, and we must 
shortly come to some conclusion about our future manner 
of living. Remain here — that is, remain liere alone, we 
cannot — and perhaps no occasion will ever offer for re- 
maining in the manner you think of. It is time, too, 
Hetty, we should learn all we can concerning our rela- 
tions and family. It is not probable that are alto- 

gether without relations, and they may be glad to see us. 
The old chest is noAv our property, and we have a right to 
look into it and learn all we can by what it holds. Mother 
was so very different from Thomas Hutter that, ng.AV I 
knoAV we are not his children, I burn Avith a desire to 
knoAV whose children Ave can be. There are papers in that 
chest, I am certain, and those papers may tell us all about 
our parents and natural friends.” 

“Well, Judith, you knoAV best, for you are cleverer than 
common, mother always said, and I am only half-Avitted. 
Noav father and mother are dead, I don’t much care for 


THE DEER SI. A YER. 


elations but you, and don’t think I could love them 
ever saw as well as I ought. If you don’t like to marry 

urry, I don’t see who you can choose for a husband, and 
. aen I fear we shall have to quit the lake after all.” 

“What do you think of Deerslayer, Hetty ?” asked Judith, 
bending forward like her unsophisticated sister, and endea- 
voring to conceal her embarrassment in a similar manner. 
“Would he not make a brother-in-law to your liking?” 

“ Deerslayer ! ” repeated the other, looking up in un- 
feigned surprise ; “why, Judith, Deerslayer isn’t in the 
least comely, and is altogether unfit for one like you ! ” 

“ He is not ill-looking, Hetty ; and beauty in a man is 
not of much matter.” 

“ Do you think so, Judith ? I know that beauty is of 
no great matter, in man or woman, in the eyes of God ; 
for mother has often told me so when she thought I 
might have been sorry I was not as handsome as you — 
though she needn’t have been uneasy on that account, for 
I never coveted anything that is yours, sister ; but tell 
me so she did ; still, beauty is very pleasant to the eye in 
both. I think if I were a man, I should pine more for 
g:.)od looks than I do as a girl. A handsome man is a 
mere pleasing sight than a handsome woman.” 

“ Poor child ! you scarce know what you say or what 
you mean ! Beauty in our sex is something, but in man 
it passes for little. To be sure, a man ought to be tall, 
but others are tall as well as Hurry ; and active — I think 
I know those that are more active ; and strong — well, he 
hasn’t all the strength in the world ; and brave — I am cer- 
tain I can name a youth who is braver.” 

“This is strange, Judith. I didn’t think the earth held 
a handsomer, or a stronger, or a more active, or a braver 
man, than Hurry Harry. I am sure / never met his equal 
in either of these things.” 

“Well, well, Hetty — say no more of this. I dislike to 
hear talking in this manner. ’Tis not suitable to your 
innocence, and truth, and warm-hearted sincerity. Let 
Harry March go. He quits us to-night, and no regret of 
mine will follow him, unless it be that he has stayed so 
long and to so little purpose.” 

“Ah ! Judith, that is what I’ve long feared ; and I did 
so hope he might be my brother-in-law ! ” 


THE DEERSLAYER. 369 

“Never mind it now; let us talk of our poor mother 
and of Thomas Hutter.” 

“ Speak kindly, then, sister, for you can’t be quite cer- 
tain that spirits don’t both hear and see. If father wasn’t 
father, he was good to us, and gave us food and shelter. 
We can’t put any stones over their graves here in the 
water to tell people all this, and so we ought to say it 
with our tongues.” 

“ They will care little for that, girl. ’Tis a great conso- 
lation to know, Hetty, that if mother ever did commit any 
heavy fault when young, she lived sincerely to repent of 
it ; no doubt her sins were forgiven her.” 

“ ’Tisn’t right, Judith, for children to talk of their pa- 
rents’ sins. We had better talk of our own.” 

“ Talk of your sins, Hetty ! If there ever was a creat- 
ure on earth without sin, it is you ! I wish I could say or 
think the same of myself; but we shall see. No one 
knows what changes affection for a good husband can 
make in a woman’s heart. I don’t think, child, I have 
even now the same love for finery I once had.” 

“ It would be a pity, Judith, if you did tliink of clothes 
over your parents’ graves ! We will never quit this spot, 
if you say so, and will let Hurr^ go where he pleases.” 

“ I am willing enough to consent to the last, but cannot 
answer for the first, Hetty. We must live, in future, as 
becomes respectable young women, and cannot remain 
here to be the talk and jest of all the rude and foul- 
tongued trappers and hunters that may come upon the 
lake. Let Hurry go by himself, and then I’ll find the 
means to see Deerslayer, when the future shall be soon 
settled. Come, girl, the sun has set, and the ark is drift- 
ing away from us ; let us paddle up to the scow and con- 
sult with our friends. This night I shall look into the 
chest, and to-morrow shall determine what we are to do. 
As for the Hurons, now we can use our stores without 
fear of Thomas Hutter, they will be easily bought off. 
Let me get Deerslayer once out of their hands, and a sin- 
gle hour shall bring things to an understanding. 

Judith spoke with decision, and she spoke with author- 
ity, a habit she had long practised toward her feeble-minded 
sister. But, while thus accustomed to have her way, by 
the aid of manner and a readier command of words, Hetty 
24 


370 


THE DEER SLA YER. 


occasionally checked her impetuous feelings and hasty 
acts by the aid of those simple moral truths that were so 
deeply engrafted in all her own thoughts and feelings, 
shining through both with a mild and beautiful lustre that 
threw a sort of holy halo around so much of what she both 
said and did. On the present occasion, this healthful as- 
cendency of the girl of weak mtellect, over her of a capac- 
ity that, in other situations, might have been brilliant and 
admired, was exhibited in the usual simple and earnest 
manner. 

“You forget, Judith, what has brought us here,” she 
said, reproachfully. “ This is mother’s grave, and we 
have just laid the body of father by her side. We have 
done wrong to talk so much of ourselves at such a spot, 
and ought now to pray God to forgive us, and ask hun to 
teach us where we are tq go, and what we are to do.” 

Judith involuntarily laid aside her paddle, while Hetty 
dropped on her knees and was soon lost in her devout but 
simple petitions. Her sister did not pray. This she had 
long ceased to do directly, though anguish of spirit fre- 
quently wrung from her mental and hasty appeals to the 
great source of benevolence for support, if not for a 
change of spirit. Still, sl^, never beheld Hetty on her 
knees, that a feeling of tender recollection, as well as of 
profound regret at the deadness of her own heart, did not 
come over her. Thus had she herself done in childhood, 
and even down to the hour of her ill-fated visits to the gar- 
risons ; and she would willingly have given worlds, at such 
moments, to be able to exchange her present sensations 
for that confiding faith, those pure aspirations, and the gen- 
tle hope that shone through every lineament and move- 
ment of her otherwise less favored sister. All she could 
do, however, was to drop her head on her bosom, and as- 
sume in her attitude some of that devotion in which her 
stubborn spirit refused to unite. 

When Hetty rose from her knees, her countenance had 
a glow and serenity that rendered a face that was always 
agreeable, positively ha^ndsome. Her mind was at peace, 
and her conscience acquitted her of a neglect of duty. 

“ Now you may go, if you want to, Judith,” she said ; 
“ God has been kind to me, and lifted a burden off 
my heart. Mother had many such burdens, she used to 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


371 


tell me, and she took them off in this way. ’Tis the only 
way, sister, such things can be done. You may raise a stone, 
or a log, with your hands ; but the heart must be lightened 
by prayer. I don’t think you pray as often as you used to 
do when younger, Judith !” 

“Never mind — never mind, child ” — answered the other, 
huskily — “’tis no matter, now. Mother is gone, and 
Thomas Hutter is gone, and the time has come when we 
must think and act for ourselves.’’ 

As the canoe moved slowly away from the place, under, 
the gentle impulsion of the elder sister’s paddle, the 
younger sat musing, as was her wont, whenever her mind 
was perplexed by any idea more abstract and difficult of 
comprehension than common. 

“ I don’t know what you mean by future, Judith,’’ she at 
length suddenly observed. “Mo.ther used to call Heaven 
the future, but you seem to think it means next week, or 
to-morrow ! ” 

“ It means both, dear sister ; everything that is yet to 
come, whether in this world or another. It is a solemn 
word, Hetty, and most so, I fear to them that think h ’ 
least about it. Mother’s future is eternity ; ours may yet 
mean what will happen while we live in this world — is not 
that a canoe just passing behind the castle ? — here, more 
in the direction of the point, I mean ; it is hid, now — but, 
" certainly, I saw a canoe stealing behind the logs.’’ 

“I’ve seen it some time,” Hetty quietly answered, for 
the Indians had few terrors for her, “ but I did not think 
it right to talk about such things over mother’s grave. 
The canoe came from the camp, Judith, and was paddled 
by a single man ; he seemed to be Deerslayer, and no 
Iroquois.” 

“Deerslayer!” returned the other, with much of her 
native impetuosity. “ That can’t be ! Deerslayer is a 
prisoner, and I have been thinking of the means of setting 
him free. Why did you fancy it Deerslayer, child ? ” 

“ You can look for yourself, sister ; there comes the 
canoe in sight again, on this side of the hut.” 

Sure enough, the light boat had passed the building, 
and wa*^ ; ow steadily advancing toward the ark ; the per- 
sons <^ . board of which were already collecting in the head 
of t scow to receive their visitor. A single glance 


/ 


372 


THE DRERSLAYER. 


sufficed to assure Judith that her sister was right, and that 
Deerslayer was alone in the canoe. His approach was so 
calm and leisurely, however, as to fill her with wonder, 
since a man who had effected his escape from enemies, 
either by artifice or violence, would not be apt to move 
with the steadiness and deliberation with which his paddle 
swept the water. By this time the day was fairly depart- 
ing and objects were already seen dimly under the shores. 
In the broad lake, however, the light still lingered, and 
around the immediate scene of the present incidents, which 
was less shaded than most of the sheet, being in its broad- 
est part, it cast a glare that bore some faint resemblance 
to the warm tints of an Italian or Grecian sunset. The 
logs of the hut and ark had a sort of purple hue, blended 
with the growing obscurity, and the bark of the hunter’s 
boat was losing its distinctness, in colors richer, but more 
mellowed, than those it showed under a bright sun. As 
the tw^o canoes approached each other — for Judith and 
her sister had plied their paddles so as to intercept the 
unexpected visitor ere he reached the ark — even Deer- 
slayer’s sunburnt countenance wore a brighter aspect than 
common, under the pleasing tints that seemed to dance in 
the atmosphere. Judith fancied that delight at meeting 
her had some share in this unusual and agreeable expres- 
sion. She was not aware that her owm beauty appeared 
to more advantage than common, from the same natural 
cause ; nor did she understand, what it would have given 
her so much pleasure to know, that the young man actually 
thought her, as she drew near, the loveliest creature of her 
sex his eyes had ever dwelt on. 

‘‘ Welcome — welcome, Deerslayer ! ” exclaimed the girl 
as the canoes floated at each other’s sides ; “we have had 
a melancholy — a frightful day— but your return is, at least, 
one misfortune the less. Have the Hurons become more 
humane and let you go, or have you escaped from the 
wretches by your own courage and skill ? ” 

“Neither, Judith — neither one nor t’other. The Min- 
goes are Mingoes still, and will live and die Mingoes ; 
it is not likely their naturs will ever undergo much im- 
provement. Well, they’ve their gifts, and we’ve our’n, 
Judith, and it doesn’t much become either to speak ill of 
what the Lord has created ; though, if the truth must be 


THE DEERSLAXER. 


373 


said, I find it a sore trial to think kindly or to talk kindly 
of them vagabonds. As for outwitting them, that might 
have been done, and it ivas done, too, atween the Sarpent, 

yonder, and me, when we were on the trail of Hist ” 

here the hunter stopped to laugh in his own silent fashion 
— blit it’s no easy matter to sarcumvent the sarcumvented. 
Even the fa’ans get to know the tricks of the hunters afore 
a single season is over ; and an In jin, whose eyes have 
once been opened by a sarcumvention, never shuts them 
ag’in in precisely the same spot. I’ve known whites to do 
that, but never a red-skin. What they Tarn comes by 
practice, and not by books ; and, of all school-masters, 
exper’ence gives lessons that are the longest remem- 
bered.” 

“ Ail this is true, Deerslayer ; but if you have not es- 
caped from the savages how came you here ?” 

“ Tliat’s a nat’ral question, and charmingly put. You 
are wonderful handsome this evening, Judith, or Wild 
Rose, as the Sarpent calls you, and I may as well say it, 
since I honestly think it. You may well call them M in- 
goes savages, too, for savage enough do they feel, and 
savage enough will they act, if you once give them an op- 
portunity. They feel their loss here, in the late scrimmage, 
to their hearts’ cores, and are ready to revenge it on any 
creatur’ of English blood that may fall in their way .^^ror, 
for that matter, do I much think they will stand at taking 
their satisfaction out of a Dutchman.” 

“They have killed father; that ought to ‘’ai'sfy their 
wicked cravings for blood,” observed Hetty reproach- 
fully. 

“I know it, gal - I know the whole sto y — partly from 
what I’ve seen from the shore, since they bi: 4ght me up 
from the point, and partly from their threa- s ag’in myself, 
and their other discourse. Well, life is urisartin at the 
best, and we all depend on the breath of our nostrils for 
it, from day to day. If you’ve lost a stanch fri’nd, as I 
make no doubt you hav’-e. Providence will raise up new 
ones in his stead ; and since our acquaintance has begun 
in this uncommon manner, I shall take as a hint that it 
will be a part of my duty in futur', sh*.^ aid the occasion 
offer, to see you don’t suffer for want c' food in the wig- 
wam. I can’t bring the dead to life, biu ;.s to feeding the 


374 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


living, there’s few on all this frontier can outdo me, though 
I say it in the way of pity and consolation like, and, in no 
particular, in tlie way of boasting.” 

“We understand you, Deerslayer,” returned Judith hast- 
ily, “ and take all that falls from your lips, as it is meant, in 
kindness and friendship. Would to Heaven all men had 
tongues as true, and hearts as honest ! ” 

“ In that respect men do differ, of a sartinty, Judith. 
I’ve known them that wasn’t to be trusted any further 
than you can see them ; and others ag’in whose messages, 
sent with a small piece of wampum, perhaps, might just 
as much be depended on, as if the whole business was 
finished afore your face. Yes, Judith, you never said truer 
words, than when you said some men might be depended 
on, and some others might not.” 

“You are an unaccountable being, Deerslayer,” re- 
turned the girl, not a little puzzled with the childish sim- 
plicity of character that the hunter so often betrayed — a 
simplicity so striking that it frequently appeared to place 
him nearly on a level with the fatuity of poor Hetty, 
though always relieved by the beautiful moral truth that 
^hone through all that this unfortunate girl both said and 
“You are a most unaccountable man, and I often do 
u knowhow to understand you. But never mind, just 
you have forgotten to tell us by what means you are 

1 ■ 

I oh ! That’s not very onaccountable, if I am my- 
self, Judith I’m out on a furlough.” 

“ Furioc J That word has a meaning among the sol- 
diers tha' "" understand ; I cannot tell what it sitjnifies 
when ustu ' j ^isoner.” 

“It m; r.-rjusi the same. You’re right enough; the 
soldiers t Ui.e it, and just in the same way as I use it. 
A furloug when a man has leave to quit a camp, or 
a garrison, i^r a sartin specified time ; ^t the end of which 
he is to conu- back and shoulder his musket, or submit 
to his torments, just as he may happen to be a soldier or 
a captyve. < -ing the last, I must take the chances of a 
prisoner.” 

“ Have thi Hurons suffered you to quit them in "this 
manner, withou watch or guard?” 

“ Sartain — I xouldn’t have come in any other manner, 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


375 


unless, indeed, it had been by a bold rising or a sarcu in- 
vention.” 

“What pledge have they that you will ever return ?” 

“ My word,” answered the hunter, simply. “Yes, I own 
I gave ’em that, and big fools would they have been to let 
me come without it. Why, in that case, I shouldn’t have 
been obliged to go back and ondergo any deviltries their 
fury may invent, but might have shouldered my rifle and 
made the best of my way to the Delaware villages. But, 
Lord ! Judith, they know’d this, just as well as you and I 
do, and would no more let me come away without a promise 
to go back than they would let the wolves dig up the bones 
of their fathers ! ” 

“ Is it possible you mean to do this act of extraordinary 
self-destruction and recklessness ? ” 

“ Anan ! ” 

“I ask if it can be possible that you expect to be able 
to put yourself again in the power of such ruthless ene- 
mies, by keeping your word ? ” 

Deerslayer looked at his fair questioner for a mom‘=‘n^ 
with stern displeasure. Then the expression of his honc:,'' 
and guileless face suddenly changed, lighting as by a quick 
illumination of thought ; after which he laughed in his 
ordinary manner. 

“ I didn’t understand you, at first, Judith ; no, I didn’t. 
You believed that Chingachgook and Hurry Harry won’t 
suffer it ; but you don’t know mankind thoroughly yet, I 
see. The Delaware would be the last man on ’arth to 
offer any objections to what he knows is a duty ; and, as 
for March, he doesn’t care enough about any creatur’ but 
himself to spend many words on such a subject. If he 
did, ’twould make no great difference, howsever ; but not he 
— for he thinks more of his gains than of even his own 
word. As for my promises, or your’n, Judith, or anybody" 
else’s, they give him no consarn. Don’t be under any 
oneasiness, therefore, gal ; I shall be allowed to go back 
according to the furlough ; and if difficulties was made. 
I’ve not been brought up, and edicated, as one may say, 
in the woods, without knowing how to look ’em down.” 

Judith made no answer for some little time. All her 
feelings as a woman — and as a woman who, for the first 
time in her life, was beginning to submit to that sentiment 


THE DEERSLAYEK, 


376 

which has so much influence on the happiness or misery 
of her sex — revolted at the cruel fate that she fancied 
Deerslayer was drawing dc?!vm upon himself, while the 
sense of right, which God has implanted in every human 
breast, told her to admire an integrity as indomitable and 
unpretending as that which the other so unconsciously 
displayed. Argument, she felt, would be useless ; nor was 
she, at that moment, disposed to lessen the dignity and 
high principle that were so striking in the intentions of 
the hunter, by any attempt to turn him from his purpose. 
That something might yet occur to supersede the necessity 
for this self-immolation, she tried to hope ; and then she 
proceeded to ascertain the facts, in order that her own 
conduct might be regulated by her knowledge of circum- 
stances. 

“When is your furlough out, Deerslayer?” she asked, 
after both canoes were heading toward the ark, and mov- 
ing, with scarcely a perceptible effort of the paddles, 
through the water. 

“ To-morrow noon ; not a minute afore ; and you may 
depend on it, Judith, I shan’t quit what I call Christian 
company, to go and give myself up to them vagabonds, 
an instant s^ner than is downright necessary. They be- 
gin to fear a visit from the garrisons, and wouldn’t length- 
en the time a moment ; and it’s pretty well understood 
atween us, that, should I fail in my ar’n’d, the torments 
are to take place when the sun begins to fall, that they 
may strike upon their home-trail as soon as it is dark.” 

This was said solemnly, as if the thought of what was 
believed to be in reserve duly weighed on the prisoner’s 
mind, and yet so simply, and without a parade of suffering, 
as rather to repel than to invite any open manifestations of 
sympathy. 

“Are they bent on revenging their losses?” Judith 
asked, faintly, her own high spirit yielding to tlie influence 
of the other’s quiet but dignified integrity of- purpose. 

“ Downright if I can judge of Injin inclinations by the 
symptoms. They think, howsever, I don’t suspect their 
designs, I do believe ; but one that has lived so long 
among men of red-skin gifts is no more likely to be misled 
in In jin feelin’s than a true hunter is like to loose his trail, 
or a stanch hound his scent. My own judgment is greatly 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


377 


ag’in my own escape ; for I see the women are a good deal 
enraged on behalf of Hist, though I say it, perhaps, that 
shouldn’t say^it — seein’ that I bad a considerable hand my- 
self in getting the gal off. Then there was a cruel murder 
in their camp last night, and that shot might just as well 
have been fired into my breast. Howsever, come what 
will, the Sarpent and his wife will be safe, and that is some 
happiness, in any case.” 

“O Deerslayer, they will think better of this, since 
they have given you until to-morrow noon to make up 
your mind ! ” 

“ I judge not, Judith ; yes, I judge not. An Injin is an 
Injin, gal, and it’s pretty much hopeless to tliink of swarv- 
ing him when he’s got the scent and follows it with his 
nose in the air. The Delawares, now, are a half-Chris- 
tianized tribe — not that I think such sort of Christians 
much better than your whole-blooded disbelievers— but, 
nevertheless, what good half-Christianizing can do to a 
man some among ’em have got, and yet revenge clings to 
their hearts like the wild creepers here to the tree ! Then 
I slew one of the best and boldest of their warriors, they 
say, and it is too much to expect that they should capti- 
vate the man who did this deed, in the very same scouting 
on which it was performed, and they take no account of 
the matter. Had a month or so gone by, their feelin’s 
would have been softened down, and we might have met 
in a more friendly way ; but it is as it is. Judith, this is 
talking of nothing but myself and my own consarns, when 
you have had trouble enough, and may want to consult a 
fri’nd a little about your own matters. Is the old man laid 
in the water, where I should think his body would like to 
rest ? ” 

“It is, Deerslayer,” answered Judith, almost inaudibly. 
“ That duty has just been performed. You are right in 
thinking that I wish to consult a friend ; and that friend 
is yourself. Hurry Harry is about to leave us ; when he 
is gone, and we have got a little over the feelings of this 
solemn office, I hope you will give me an hour alone. 
Hetty and I are at a loss what to do.” 

“That’s quite natural, coming as things have, suddenly 
and fearfully. But here’s the ark, and we’ll say more of 
this when there is a better opportunity.” 


37S 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


CHAPTER XXIIL 

The winde is great upon the highest hilles ; 

The quiet life is in the dale below ; 

Who tread on ice shall slide against their willes ; 

They want not cares, that curious arts should know ; 

Who lives at ease and can content him so, 

Is perfect wise, and sets us all to schoole ; 

Who hates this lore may well be called a fool.” 

— Churchyard. 

The meeting between Deerslayer and his friends in the 
ark was grave and anxious. The two Indians in particu- 
lar read in his manner that he was not a successful fugi- 
tive, and a few sententious words sufficed to let them 
comprehend the nature of what their friend had termed 
his “ furlough.” Chingachgook immediately became 
thoughtful ; while Hist, as usual, had no better mode of 
expressing her sympathy than by those little attentions 
which mark the affectionate manner of woman. 

In a few minutes, however, something like a general 
plan for the proceedings of the night was adopted, and to 
the eye of an uninstructed observer, things would be 
thought to move in their ordinary train. It was now get- 
ting to be dark, and it was decided to sweep the ark up to 
the castle, and secure it in its ordinary berth. This de- 
cision was come to, in some measure, on account of the 
fact that all the canoes were again in the possession of 
their proper owners, but principally from the security 
that was created by the representations of Deerslayer. 
He had examined the state of things among the Flurons, 
and felt satisfied that they meditated no further hostilities 
during the night, the loss they had met having indisposed 
them to further exertions for the moment. Then he had 
a proposition to make — the object of his visit ; and, if this 
were accepted, the war ^vould at once terminate between 
the parties ; and it was improbable that the Hurons would 
anticipate the failure of a project on which their chiefs 
had apparently set their hearts, by having recourse to 
violence previously to the return of their messenger. 

As soon as the ark was properly secured, the different 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


379 


members of the party occupied themselves in their sev- 
eral peculiar manners ; haste in council, or in decision, 
no more characterizing the proceedings of tlie border 
whites than it did those of their red neighbors. The 
women busied themselves in preparations for the evening 
meal, sad and silent, but ever attentive to the first wants 
of Nature. 

Hurry set about repairing his moccasins by the light of 
a blazing knot ; Chingachgook seated himself in gloomy 
thought ; while Deerslayer proceeded, in a manner equally 
free from affectation and concern, to examine “ Killdeer,” 
the rifle of Hutter, that has been already mentioned, and 
Avhich subsequently became so celebrated in the hands of 
the individual who was now making a survey of its merits. 
The piece was a little longer than usual, and had evidently 
been turned out from the workshop of some manufacturer 
of a superior order. It had a few silver ornaments ; though, 
on the whole, it would have been deemed a plain piece by 
most frontiermen ; its great merit consisting in the ac- 
curacy of its bore, the perfection of the details, and the 
excellence of the metal. Attain and again did the hunter 
apply the breech to his shoulder, and glance his eye along 
the sights, and as often did he poise his body and raise the 
weapon slowly, as if about to catch an aim at a deer, in 
order to try the weight, and to ascertain its fitness for 
quick and accurate firing. All this was done by the aid of 
Hurry’s torch, simply, but with an earnestness and ab- 
straction that would have been found touching by any 
spectator who happened to know the real situation of the 
man. 

“ ’Tis a glorious we’pon, Hurry ! ” Deerslayer at length 
exclaimed, “ and it may be thought a pity that it has fallen 
into the hands of women. The hunters have told me of 
its expl’ites, and, by all I have heard, I should set it down 
as sartin death in exper’enced hands. Hearken to the tick 
of this lock — a wolf trap hasn’t a livelier spring ; pan and 
cock speak together, like two singing-masters undertaking 
a psalm in meetin’. I never see so true a bore, Hurry, 
that’s sartin.” 

“ Ay, old Tom used to give the piece a character, though 
he wasn’t the man to particularize the ra’al natur’ of any 
sort of fire-arms in practice,’’ returned March, passing the 


380 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


deer’s thongs through the moccasin with the coolness of a 
cobbler. “ He was no marksman, that we must all allow ; 
but he had his good p’ints as well as his bad ones. I have 
had hopes that Judith might consait the idee of giving 
Killdeer to me.” 

‘‘ There’s no saying what young women may do, that’s 
a truth. Hurry ; and I suppose you’re as likely to own the 
rifle as another. Still, w^hen things are so very near per- 
fection, it’s a pity not to reach it entirely.” 

“What do you mean by that ? Would not that piece 
look as well on my shoulder as on any man’s?” 

“As for looks, I say nothing. You are both good-look- 
ing, and might make what is called a good-looking couple. 
But the true p’int is as to conduct. More deer would fall 
in one day, by that piece, in some men’s hands, than would 
fall in a week in your’n. Hurry ! I’ve seen you try ; you 
remember the buck, t’other day ? ” 

“ That buck was out of season ; and who wishes to kill 
venison out of season ? I was merely trying to frighten the 
creator’, and I think you will own that he was pretty well 
sheared at any rate.” 

“Well, w^ell, have it as you say. But this is a lordly 
piece, and would make a steady hand and quick eye the 
King of the Woods.” 

“ Then keep it, Deerslayer, and become King of the 
Woods,” said Judith, earnestly, who had heard the con- 
versation, and whose eye w^as never long averted from the 
honest countenance of the hunter. “ It can never be in 
better hands than it is at this moment ; there I hope it wdll 
remain these fifty years.” 

“Judith, you can’t be in ’arnest ! ” exclaimed Deerslayer, 
taken so much by surprise, as to betray more emotion than 
it was usual for him to manifest on ordinary occasions. 
“ Such a gift would be fit for a ra’al king to make ; yes, 
and for a ra’al king to receive.” 

“ I never was more in earnest in my life, Deerslayer, and 
I am as much in earnest in the wish as in the gift.” 

“ Well, gal, well ; we’ll find time to talk of this ag’in. 
You mustn’tbe down-hearted, Hurry, for Judith isa spright- 
ly young woman, and she has a quick reason ; she knows 
that the credit of her father’s rifle is safer in my }ia.nds than 
it can possibly be in your’ 11 ; and, therefore, you mustn’t 


THE DEERSLAYRR. 


381 

be down-hearted. In other matters, more to your liking, 
too, you’ll find she’ll give you the preference.” 

Hurry growled out his dissatisfaction : but he was too 
intent on quitting the lake, and in making his prepara- 
tions, to waste his breath on a subject of this nature. 
Shortly after, the supper was ready ; it was eaten in si- 
lence, as is so much the habit of those who consider the 
table as merely a place of animal refreshment. On this 
occasion, however, sadness and thought contributed their 
share to the general desire not to converse ; for Deer- 
slayer was so far an exception to the usages of men of 
his cast as not only to wish to hold discourse on such oc- 
casions, but as often to create a similar desire in his com- 
panions. 

The meal ended, and the humble preparations removed, 
the whole party assembled on the platform to hear the ex- 
pected intelligence from Deerslayer on the subject of his 
visit. It had been evident he was in no haste to make his 
communications ; but the feelings of Judith would no 
longer admit of delay. Stools were brought from the ark 
and the hut, and the whole six placed themselves in a 
circle, near the door, watching each other’s countenances, 
as best they could, by the scanty means that were furnished 
by a lovely starlight night. Along the shore, beneath the 
mountains, lay the usual body of gloom ; but in the broad 
lake no shadow was cast, and a thousand mimic stars were 
dancing in the limpid element, that was just stirred enough 
by the evening air to set them all in motion. 

“Now, Deerslayer,” commenced Judith, whose impa- 
tience resisted further restraint, “ now, Deerslayer, tell us 
all the Hurons have to say, and the reason why they have 
sent you on parole, to make us some offer.” 

“ Furlough, Judith — furlough is the word, and it carries 
the same meaning with a captyve at large as it does with 
a soldier who has leave to quit his colors. In both cases 
the word is passed to come back, and now I remember to 
have heard that’s tho>ra’al signification, ‘furlough ’ mean- 
ing a ‘ word ’ passed for the doing of anything or the like. 
Parole, I rather think, is Dutch, and has something to do 
with the tattoos of the garrisons. But tliis makes no 
great difference, since the vartue of a pledge lies in the 
idee, and not the word. Well, then, if the message must 


382 


THE DEER SLA VER. 


be given, it must, and perhaps there is no use in putting 
it off. Hurry will soon be wanting to set out on his jour- 
ney to the river, and the stars rise and set just as if they 
cared for neither In jin nor message. Ah’s me ! ’tisn’t a 
pleasant and I know it’s a useless ar’n’d ; but it must be 
told.” 

“ Harkee, Deerslayer,” put in Hurry, a little authorita- 
tively, “you’re a sensible man in a hunt, and as good a 
fellow on the march as a sixty-miler a-day could wish to 
meet with, but you’re oncommon slow about messages, 
especially them you think won’t be likely to be well re- 
ceived. When a thing is to be told, why, tell it, and don’t 
hang back like a Yankee lawyer pretending he can’t un- 
derstand a Dutchman’s English, just to get a double fee 
out of him.” 

“ I understand you. Hurry, and well you are named to- 
night, seeing you’ve no time to lose. But let us come at 
once to the p’int, seeing that’s the object of this council ; 
for council it may be called, though women have seats 
among us. The simple fact is this : When the party came 
back from the castle, the Mingoes held a council, and bit- 
ter thoughts were uppermost, as was plainly to be seen by 
their gloomy faces. No one likes to be beaten, and a red- 
skin as little as a pale-face. Well, when they had smoked 
upon it, and made their speeches, and their council-fire 
had burnt low, the matter came out. It seems the elders 
among ’em consaited I was a man to be trusted on a fur- 
lough. They’re wonderful obsarvant, them Mingoes ; that 
their worst inimies must allow ; but they consaited I was 
such a man ; and it isn’t often,” added the hunter, with 
a pleasing consciousness that his previous life justified this 
implicit reliance on his good faith, “ it isn’t often they 
consait anything so good of a pale-face ; but so they did 
with me, and therefore they didn’t hesitate to speak their 
minds, which is just this : You see the state of things. 
The lake and all on it, they fancy, lie at their marcy. 
Thomas Hutter is deceased, and as for Hurry, they’ve got 
the idee he has been near enough to death to-day not to 
wish to take another look at him this summer. Therefore 
they count all your forces as reduced to Chingachgook 
and the two young women, and, while you know the Del- 
aware to be of high race, and a born warrior, they, know 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


38s 

they don’t know Harry March ! He is human, which na- 
tur’ won’t let him desart females of his own race and gifts, 
in their greatest need. So set me down as one that will 
refuse to come into your treaty, though you sliould smoke 
a hogshead of tobacco over it.’ ” 

March was a little embarrassed at this rebuke, which 
was uttered with sufficient warmth of manner, and with a 
point that left no doubt of the meaning. Had Judith en- 
couraged him, he would not have hesitated about remain- 
ing to defend her and her sister, but, under the circum- 
stances, a feeling- 'bf resentment rather urged him to 
abandon them. At all events, there was not a sufficiency 
of chivalry in Hurry Harry to induce him to hazard the 
safety of his own person, unless he could see a direct 
connection betvyeen the probable consequences and his 
own interests. It is no wonder, therefore, that his answer 
partook equally of his intention, and of the reliance he s© 
boastingly placed on his gigantic strength, which, if it did 
not always make him courageous, usually made him im- 
pudent as respects those with whom he conversed : 

“Fair words make long friendships. Master Deerslayer," 
he said, a little menacingly. “ You’re but a striplina-. 
you know, by exper’ence, what you are in the hands of a 
man. As you’re not me, but only a go-between, sent ^>y the 
savages to us Christians, you may tell your empl’yers that 
they do not know Harry March, Avhich is a proof of their 
sense as well as his. He’s human enough to follow human 
natur’, and that tells him to see the folly of one man’s 
fighting a whole tribe. If females desart him, they must 
expect to be desarted fy him, whether they’re of his own 
gifts or another man’s gifts. Should Judith see fit to 
change her mind, she’s welcome to my company to the 
river, and Hetty with her ; but shouldn’t she come to this 
conclusion, I start as soon as I think the enemy’s scouts 
are beginning to nestle themselves in among the brush 
and leaves for the night.” 

“ Judith will 7iot change her mind, and she does not ask 
your company. Master March,” returned the girl, with 
spirit. 

“That p’int’s settled, then,” resumed Deerslayer, un- 
noved by the other’s warmth. “Hurry Harry must act 
r himself, and do that which will be most likely to suit 
2 $ 


386 


TIIR DE'ERSLAYER. 


his own fancy. The course he means to take will give 
him an easy race if it don’t give him an easy conscience. 
Next comes the question with Hist— what say you, gal ? — 
will you desart your duty,* too, and go back to the Mingoes 
and take a Huron husband ; and all, not for the love of the 
man you’re to marry, but for the love of your own scalp ? ” 

“ Why you talk so to Hist ? ” demanded the girl half 
offended “You t’ink a red-skin girl made like cap- 
tain’s lady, to laugh and joke with any officer that come.” 

“ What I think. Hist, is neither here nor there, in this 
matter. I must carry back your answer, and, in order to 
do so, it is necessary that you should send it. A faithful 
messenger gives his ar’n’d word for word.” 

Hist no longer hesitated to speak her mind fully. Tn 
the excitement she rose from her bench, and, naturally re- 
curring to that language in which she expressed herself 
the most readily, she delivered her thoughts and inten- 
tions, beautifully and with dignity, in the tongue of her 
own people. 

“ Tell the Hurons, Deerslayer,” she said, “that they are 
as ignorant as moles ; they don’t know the wolf from the 
dog. Among my people, the rose dies on the stem where 
it budded ; the tears of the child fall on the graves of its 
parents ; the corn grows where the seed has been planted. 
The Delaware girls are not messengers, to be sent, like 
belts of wampum, from tribe to tribe. They are honey- 
suckles, that are sweetest in their own woods ; their own 
young men carry them away in their bosoms, because they 
are fragrant ; they are sweetest when plucked from their 
native stems. Even the robin and the marten come back, 
year after year, to their old nests ; shall a woman be less 
true-hearted than a bird ? Set the pine in the clay, and it 
will turn yellow ; the willow will not flourish on the hill ; 
the tamarack is healthiest in the swamp ; the tribes of the 
sea love best to hear the winds that blow over the salt 
water. As for a Huron youth, what is he to a maiden of 
the Lenni-Lenape ? He may be fleet, but her eyes do not 
follow him in the race ; they look back toward the lodges 
of the Delawares. He may sing a sweet song for the girls 
of Canada, but there is no music for Wah but in the tongue 
she has listened to from childhood. Were the Huron 
born of the people that once roamed the shores of the sa’' 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


3S7 


lake, it would be in vain, unless he were of the family of 
the Uncas. The young pine will rise to be as high as any 
of its fathers. Wah-ta !-Wah has but one heart, and it can 
love but one husband.” 

Deerslayer listened to this characteristic message, which 
was given with an earnestness suited to the feelings from 
which it sprang, with undisguised delight ; meeting the 
ardent eloquence of the girl, as she concluded, with one 
of his own heart-felt, silent, and peculiar fits of laughter. 

“ That’s worth all the wampum in the woods ! ” he ex- 
claimed. “You don’t understand it, I suppose, Judith; 
but if you’ll look into your feelings, and fancy that an 
inimy had sent to tell you to give up the man of your 
ch’ice, and to take up with another that wasn’t the man of 
your ch’ice, you’ll get the substance of it. I’ll warrant ! 
Give me a woman for ra’al eloquence, if they’ll only make 
up their minds to speak what they feel. By speakin’, I 
don’t mean chatterin’, howsever ; for most of them will do 
that by the hour ; but cornin’ out with their honest, deep- 
est feelin’s, in proper words. And now, Judith, having 
got the answer of a red-skin girl, it is fit that I should get 
that of a pale-face, if, indeed, a countenance that is as 
blooming as your’n can in any wise so be tarmed. You 
are well named the Wild Rose, and, so far as color goes, 
Hetty ought to be called the Honeysuckle.” 

“ Did this language come from one of the garrison gal- 
lants, I should deride it, Deerslayer ; but coming iromyou^ 
I know it can be depended on,” returned Judith, deeply 
gratified by his unmeditated and characteristic compli- 
ments. “It is too soon, however, to ask my answer ; the 
Great Sarpent has not yet spoken.” 

“TheSarpent? Lord! I could carry back his speech 
without hearing a word of it I I didn’t think of putting 
the question to him at all, I will allow ; though ’twould be 
hardly right either, seeing that truth is truth, and I’m 
bound to tell these Mingoes the fact, and nothing else. 
So, Chingachgook, let us hear your mind on this matter 
— are you inclined to strike across the hills toward your 
village, to give up Hist to a Huron, and to tell the chiefs 
at home that, if they’re actyve and successful, they may 
possibly get on the end of the Iroquois trail some two or 
three days a’ter the inimy has got off of it ? ” 


388 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


Like his betrothed, the young chief arose, that his an- 
swer miglit be given with due distinctness and dignity. 
Hist had spoken with her hands crossed upon her bosom, 
as if to suppress the emotions within ; but the warrior 
stretched an arm before him, with a calm energy that aided 
in giving emphasis to his expressions. 

“Wampum should be sent for wampum,” he said; “a 
message must be answered by a message. Hear what the 
Great Sarpent of the Delawares has to say to the pretended 
wolves from the great lakes that are howling through our 
woods. They are no wolves ; they are dogs that have 
come to get their tails and ears cropped by the hands of 
the Delawares. They are good at stealing young women ; 
bad at keeping them. Chingachgook takes his own where 
he finds it ; he asks leave of no cur from the Canadas. If 
he has a tender feeling in his heart, it is no business of the 
Hurons. He tells it to her who most likes to know it ; he 
will not bellow it in the forest for the ears of those that 
only understand yells of terror. What passes in his lodge 
is not for the chiefs of his own people to know ; still less 
for Mingo rogues ” 

“ Call ’em vagabonds, Sarpent,” interrupted Deerslayer, 
unable to restrain his delight — “yes, just call ’em up-and- 
down vagabonds, which is a word easily intarpreted, and the 
most hateful to all their ears, it’s so true. Never fear me ; 
I’ll give ’em your message, syllable for syllable, sneer for 
sneer, idee for idee, scorn for scorn — and they desarve no 
better at your hands. Only call ’em vagabonds once or 
twice, and that will set the sap mounting in ’em from their 
lowest roots to the uppermost branches.” 

“ Still less for Mingo vagabonds ! ” resumed Chingach- 
gook, quite Avillingly complying with his friend’s request. 
“ Tell the Huron dogs to howl louder if they wish a Dela- 
ware to find them in the woods, where they burrow like 
foxes, instead of hunting like warriors. When they had a 
Delaware maiden in their camp, there was a reason for 
hunting them up ; now they will be forgotten unless they 
make a noise. Chingachgook don’t like tlie trouble of go- 
ing to his villages for more warriors ; he can strike their 
runaway trail ; unless they hide it underground, he will 
follow it to Canada alone. He will keep Wah-ta !-Wah 
with him to cook his game ; they two will be Delawares 


THE DEERSLA YER. 389 

enough to scare all the Hurons back to their own 
country.” 

“ That’s a grand despatch, as the officers call them 
things ! ” cried Deerslayer ; “ ’twill set all the Huron blood 
in motion ; most particularly that part where he tells ’em 
Hist, too, will keep on their heels till they’re fairly driven 
out the country. Ah’s me ! big words ar’n’t always big 
deeds notwithstanding. The Lord send that we be able to 
be only one half as good as we promise to be ! And now, 
Judith, it’s your turn to speak, for them miscreants will 
expect an answer from each person, poor Hetty, perhaps, 
excepted.” 

“ And why not Hetty, Deerslayer ? She often speaks to 
the purpose ; the Indians may respect her words, for they 
feel for people in her condition.” 

“ That is true, Judith, and quick-thoughted in you. The 
red-skins respect misfortunes of all kinds, and Hetty’s 
in particular. So, Hetty, if you have anything to say. I’ll 
carry it to the Hurons as faithfully as if it was spoken by a 
school-master or a missionary.” 

The girl hesitated a moment, and then she answered in 
her own gentle, soft tones, as earnestly as any who had 
preceded her. 

“ The Hurons can’t understand the difference between 
wLite people and themselves,” slie said, “ or they wouldn’t 
ask Judith and me to go and live in their villages. God 
has given one country to the red men, and another to us. 
He meant us to live apart. Then mother always said that 
we should never dwell with any but Christians if possible, 
and that is a reason why we can’t go. This lake is ours, 
and we won’t leave it. Father’s and mother’s graves are in 
it, and even the worst Indians love to stay near the graves 
of their fathers. I will come and see them again, if they 
wish me to, and read more out of the Bible to them, but I 
can’t quit father’s and mother’s graves.” 

“That will do — that will do, Hetty, just as well as if 
you sent them a message twice as long,” interrupted the 
hunter. “ I’ll tell ’em all you’ve said, and all you mean, 
and I’ll answer for it that they’ll be easily satisfied. Now, 
Judith, your turn comes next, and then this part of my 
ar’n’d will be tarminated for the night.” 

Judith manifested a reluctance to give her reply, that 


390 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


had awakened a little curiosity in the messenger. Judg- 
ing from her known spirit, he had never supposed the girl 
would be less true to her feelings and principles than Hist 
or Hetty ; and yet there was a visible wavering of purpose 
that rendered him slightly uneasy. Even now, when di- 
rectly required to speak, she seemed to hesitate ; nor did 
she open her lips until the profound silence told her how 
anxiously her words were expected. Then, indeed, she 
spoke, but it was doubtingly and with reluctance. 

“ Tell me, first — tell us, first, Deerslayer,” she commenced 
repeating the words merely to change the emphasis — 
“ what effect will our answers have on your fate ? If you 
are to be the sacrifice of our spirit, it would have been bet- 
ter liad we all been more wary as to the language we use. 
What, then, are likely to be the consequences to yourself?” 

‘‘ Lord, Judith, you might as well ask me which way the 
wind will blow next week, or what will be the age of the 
next deer that will be shot ! I can only say that their 
faces look a little dark upon me, but it doesn’t thunder 
every time a black cloud rises, nor does every puff of wind 
blow up rain. That’s a question, therefore, much more 
easily put than answered.” 

‘‘So is this message of the Iroquois to me,” answered 
Judith, rising, as if she had determined on her own course 
for the present. “ My answer shall be given, Deerslayer, 
after you and I have talked together alone, when the 
others have laid themselves down for the night.” 

There was a decision in the manner of the girl that dis- 
posed Deerslayer to comply, and this he did the more 
readily as the delay could produce no material consequen- 
ces one way or the other. The meeting now broke up. 
Hurry announcing his resolution to leave them speedily. 
During the hour that was suffered to intervene, in order 
that the darkness might deepen before the frontierman 
took his departure, the different individuals occupied them- 
selves in their customary modes, the hunter, in particular, 
passing most of the time in making further inquiries into 
the perfection of the rifle already mentioned. 

The hour of nine soon arrived, however, and then it had 
been determined that Hurry should commence his journey. 
Instead of making his adieus frankly and in a generous 
spirit, the little he thought it necessary to say was uttered 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


391 


sullenly and in coldness. Resentment at what he consid- 
ered Judith’s obstinacy was blended with mortification 
at the career he had run since reaching the lake ; and, as 
is usual with the vulgar and narrow-minded, he was more 
disposed to reproach others with his failures than to cen- 
sure himself. Judith gave him her hand, but it was quite 
as much in gladness as with regret, while the two Dela- 
wares were not sorry to find he was leaving them. Of the 
whole party, Hetty alone betrayed any real feeling. Bash- 
fulness and the timidity of her sex and character, kept 
even her aloof, so that Hurry entered the canoe where 
Deerslayer was already waiting for him, before she vent- 
ured near enough to be observed. Then, indeed, the girl 
came into the ark, and approached its end just as the little 
bark was turning from it with a movement so light and 
steady as to be almost imperceptible. An impulse of feel- 
ing now overcame her timidity, and Hetty spoke. 

“Good-by, Hurry,” she called out in her sweet voice, 
“ good-by, dear Hurry. Take care of yourself in the 
woods, and don’t stop once till you reach the garrison. 
The leaves on the trees are scarcely plentier than the Hu- 
rons round the lake, and they’d not treat a strong man 
like you as kindly as they treat me.” 

The ascendency which March had obtained over this 
feeble-minded but right-thinking and right-feeling girl 
arose from a law of nature. Her senses had been cap- 
tivated by his personal advantages ; and her moral com- 
munications with him had never been sufficiently intimate 
to counteract an effect that must have been otherwise 
lessened, even with one whose mind was as obtuse as her 
own. Hetty’s instinct of right, if such a term can be ap- 
plied to one who seemed taught by some kind spirit how 
to steer her course with unerring accuracy between good 
and evil, would have revolted at Hurry’s character, on a 
thousand points, had there been opportunities to enlighten 
her ; but while he conversed and trifled with her sister, 
at a distance from herself, his perfection of form and 
feature had been left to produce their influence on her 
simple imagination and naturally tender feelings, without 
suffering by the alloy of his opinions and coarseness. It 
is true- she found him rough and rude ; but her father was 
that, and most of the other men she had seen ; and that 


392 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


which she believed to belong to all of the sex struck her 
less unfavorably in Hurry’s character than it might other™ 
wise have done. Still, it was not absolutely love that 
Hetty felt for Hurry, nor do we wish so to portray it, 
but merely that awakening sensibility and admiration, 
which, under more propitious circumstances, and always 
supposing no untoward revelations of character on the 
part of the young man had supervened to prevent it, 
might soon have ripened into that engrossing feeling. 
She felt for him an incipient tenderness, but scarcely any 
passion. Perhaps the nearest approach to the latter that 
Hetty had manifested was to be seen in the sensitiveness 
which had caused her to detect March’s predilection for 
her sister ; for, among Judith’s many admirers, this was 
the only instance in which the dull mind of the girl had 
been quickened into an observation of the circumstance. 

Hurry received so little sympathy at his departure, that 
the gentle tones of Hetty, as she thus called after him, 
sounded soothingly. He checked the canoe, and, with 
one sweep of his powerful arm, brought it back to the 
side of the ark. This was more than Hetty, whose cour- 
age had risen with the departure of our hero, expected, 
and she now shrunk timidly back at his unexpected re- 
turn. 

“You’re a good gal, Hetty, and I can’t quit you with- 
out shaking hands,” said March, kindly. “Judith a’ter 
all, isn’t worth as much as you, ' though she may be a 
trifle better looking. As to wits, if honesty and fair deal- 
ing with a young man is a sign of sense in a young wom- 
an, you’re worth a dozen Judiths; ay, and for that mat- 
ter, most young women of my acquaintance.” 

“ Don’t say anything against Judith, Harry,” returned 
Hetty imploringly. “ Father’s gone, and mother’s gone, 
and nobody’s left but Judith and me, and it isn’t right for 
sisters to speak evil or to hear evil of each other. Father’s 
in the lake, and so is mother, and we should all fear God, 
for we don’t know when we may be in the lake, too.” 

“ That sounds reasonable, child, as does most you say. 
Well, if we ever meet again, Hetty, you’d find a friend in 
me, let your sister do what she may. I w^as no great fri’nd 
of your mother, I’ll allow, for we didn’t think alike on 
most p’ints ; but then your father, old Tom, and I, fitted 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


393 


each other as remarkably as a buckskin garment will fit 
any reasonable built man. I’ve always been unanimous 
of opinion that old Floating Tom Hutter, at the bottom, 
was a good fellow and will maintain that ag’in all inimies 
for his sake, as well as for your’n.” 

“Good-by, Hurry,” said Hetty, who now wanted to has- 
ten the young man off, as ardently as she had wished to 
keep him only the moment before, though she, could give 
no clearer account of the latter than of the former feel- 
ing — “good-by. Hurry ; take care of yourself in the woods ; 
don’t halt till you reach the garrison. I’ll read a chapter 
in the Bible for you, before I go to bed, and think of you 
in my prayers.” 

This was touching a point on which March had no sym- 
pathies, and without more words he shook the girl cordially 
by the hand, and re-entered the canoe. In another minute 
the two adventurers were a hundred feet from the ark, and 
half a dozen had not elapsed before they were completely 
lost to view. Hetty sighed deeply, and rejoined her sister 
and Hist. 

For some time Deerslayer and his companion paddled 
ahead in silence. It had been determined to land Hurry 
at the precise point where he is represented, in the com- 
mencement of our tale, as having embarked ; not only as a 
place little likely to be watched by the Hurons, but be- 
cause he was sufficiently familiar with the signs of the 
woods, at that spot, to thread his way through them in the 
dark. Thither, then, the light craft proceeded, being urged 
as diligently and as swiftly as two vigorous and skilful 
canoemen could force their little vessel through, or rather 
over^ the water. Less than a quarter of an hour sufficed 
for the object ; and, at the end of that time, being within 
the shadows of the shore, and quite near the point they 
sought, each ceased his efforts in order to make their part- 
ing communications out of ear-shot of any straggler who 
might happen to be in the neighborhood. 

“ You will do well to persuade the officers at the garrison 
to lead out a party ag’in these vagabonds, as soon as you 
get in. Hurry,” Deerslayer commenced ; “ and you’ll do 
better if you volunteer to guide it up yourself. You know 
the paths and the shape of the lake, and the natur’ of the 
land, and can do it better than a common, gin’ralizing scout. 


394 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


Strike at the Huron camp first, and follow the signs that 
will then show themselves. A few looks at the hut and 
the ark will satisfy you as to the state of the Delaware and 
the women ; and, at any rate, there’ll be a fine opportunity 
to fall on the Mingo trail, and to make a mark on the 
memories of the blackguards that they’ll be apt to carry 
with ’em a long time. It won’t be likely to make much 
difference with me, since that matter will be detarmined 
afore to-morrow’s sun has set ; but it may make a great 
change in Judith and Hetty’s hopes and prospects ! ” 

“And as for yourself, Nathaniel,” Hurry inquired with 
more interest than he was accustomed to betray in the 
welfare of others, “ and as for yourself, what do you think 
is likely to turn up ?” 

“ The Lord, in his wisdom, only, can tell, Henry March ! 
The clouds look black and threatening, and I keep my 
mind in a state to meet the worst. Vengeful feelin’s are 
uppermost in the hearts of the Mingoes, and any little dis- 
app’intment about the plunder, or the prisoners, or Hist, 
may make the torments sartin. The Lord, in his wisdom, 
can only detarrnine my fate, or your’n ! ” 

“ This is a black business, and ought to be put a stop to, 
in some way or other,” answered Hurry, confounding the 
distinctions between right and wrong, as is usual with self- 
ish and vulgar men. “ I heartily wish old Hutter and I 
had scalped every creatur’ in their camp, the night we first 
landed with that capital object ! Had you not held back, 
Deerslayer, it might have been done ; then you wouldn’t 
have found yourself, at the last moment, in the desperate 
condition you mention.” 

“ ’Twould have been better had you said, you wished 
you had never attempted to do what it little becomes any 
white man’s gifts to undertake ; in which case, not only 
might we have kept from coming to blows, but Thomas 
Hutter would now have been living, and the hearts of the 
savages would be less given to vengeance. The death of 
that young woman, too, was oncalled for, Henry March, 
and leaves a heavy load on our names, if not on our con- 
sciences ! ” 

This was so apparent, and it seemed so obvious to Hurry 
himself, at the moment, that he dashed his paddle into the 
water, and began to urge the canoe toward the shore, as 


THE DERRSLAYER, 


395 


if bent only on running away from his own lively remorse. 
His companion humored this feverish desire for change, 
and, in a minute or two, the bow of the boat grated light- 
ly on the shingle of the beach. To land, shoulder his pack 
and rifle, and to get ready for his march, occupied Hurry 
but an instant, and, with a growling adieu, he had already 
commenced his march, when a sudden twinge of feeling 
brought him to a dead stop, and immediately after to the 
other’s side. 

“You cannot mean to give yourself up ag’in to them 
murdering savages, Deerslayer ! ” he said, quite as much 
in angry remonstrance as with generous feeling. “ ’Twould 
be the act of a madman or a fool ! ” 

“ There’s them that thinks it madness to keep their 
words, and there’s them that don’t, Hurry Harry. You 
may be one of the first, but Tm one of the last. No red- 
skin breathing shall have it in his power to say that a 
Mingo minds his word more than a man of white blood 
and white gifts, in anything that consarns me. I’m out on 
a furlough, and, if I’ve strength and reason. I’ll go in on a 
furlough afore noon to-morrow ! ” 

“ What’s an Injin, or a word passed, or a furlough 
taken from creatur’s like them, that have neither souls nor 
names ? ” 

“ If they’ve neither souls nor names, you aqd I have 
both, Harry March, and one is accountable for the other. 
This furlough is not, as you seem to think, a matter alto- 
gether atween me and the Mingoes, seeing it is a solemn 
bargain made atween me and God. He who thinks that 
he can say what he pleases, in his distress, and that ’twill 
all pass for nothing, because ’tis uttered in the forest, and 
into red men’s ears, knows little of his situation, and hopes, 
and wants. The words are said to the ears of the Al- 
mighty. The air in his breath, and the light of the sun is 
little more than a glance of his eye. Farewell, Harry ; 
we may not meet ag’in ; but I would wish you never to 
treat a furlough, or any other solemn thing that your 
Christian God has been called on to witness, as a duty so 
light that it may be forgotten according to the wants of 
the body, or even according to the cravings of the spirit.” 

March was now glad again to escape. It was quite impos- 
sible that he could enter into the sentiments that ennobled 


396 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


his companion, and he broke away from both with an im- 
patience that caused him secretly to curse the folly that 
could induce a man to rush, as it w^ere, on his own de- 
struction. Deerslayer, on the contrary, manifested no 
such excitement Sustained by his principles, inflexible 
in the purpose of acting up to them, and superior to any 
unmanly apprehension, he regarded all before him as a 
matter of course, and no more thought of making any 
unworthy attempt to avoid it, than a Mussulman thinks of 
counteracting the decrees of Providence. He stood calmly 
on the shore; listening to the reckless tread with which 
Hurry betrayed his progress through the bushes, shook 
his head in dissatisfaction at the want of caution, and then 
stepped quietly into his canoe. Before he dropped the 
paddle again into the water, the young man gazed about 
him at the scene presented by the starlit night. This was 
the spot where he had first laid his eyes on the beautiful 
sheet of water on which he floated. If it was then glorious 
in the bright light of summer’s noontide, it was now sad 
and melancholy under the shadows of night. The moun- 
tains rose around it, like black barriers to exclude the 
outer world ; and the gleams of pale light that rested on 
the broader parts of the basin were no bad symbols of the 
faintness of the hopes that were so dimly visible in his 
own futurp. Sighing beavily, he pushed the canoe from 
the land, and took his way back, with steady diligence, 
toward the ark and the castle. 


CHAPTER XXIV. 

“Thy secret pleasures turned to open shame ; 

Thy private feasting to a public fast ; 

Thy smoothing titles to a ragged name ; 

Thy sugared tongue to bitter 'wormwood taste ; 

Thy violent vanities can never last.” — Rape of Lucrece. 

Judith was waiting the return of Deerslayer, on the 
platform, with stifled impatienee, when the latter reached 
the hut. Hist and Hetty were both in a deep sleep, on 
the bed usually occupied by the two daughters of the 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


397 


bouse, and the Delaware was stretched on* the lioor of 
the adjoining room, his rifle at his side, and a blanket 
over him, already dreaming of the events of the last few 
days. There was a lamp burning in the ark ; for the 
family was accustomed to indulge in this luxury on extra- 
ordinary occasions, and possessed the means, the vessel 
being of a form and material to render it probable it had 
once been an occupant of the chest. 

As soon as the girl got a glimpse of the canoe, she ceased 
her hurried walk up and down the platform, and stood 
ready to receive the young man, whose return she had now 
been anxiously expecting for some time. She helped him 
to fasten the canoe, and by aiding in the other little similar 
employments, manifested her desire to reach a moment of 
liberty as soon as possible. When this was done, in answer 
to an inquiry of his she informed him of the manner in 
which their companions had disposed of themselves. He 
listened attentively ; for the manner of the girl was so earn- 
est and impressive as to apprise him that she had some- 
thing on her mind of more than common concern. 

“And now, Deerslayer,” Judith continued, “you see I 
have lighted the lamp, and put it in the cabin of the ark. 
That is never done with us, unless on great occasions, and 
I consider this night as the most important of my life. Will 
you jollow me and see what I have to show you — and hear 
what I have to say ? ” 

The hunter was a little surprised ; but making no objec- 
tions, both were soon in the scow, and in the room that 
contained the light. Here two stools were placed at the side 
of the chest, with the lamp on another, and a table near by to 
receive the different articles as they might be brought to 
view. This arrangement had its rise in the feverish impa- 
tience of the girl, which could brook no delay that it was 
in her power to obviate. Even all the padlocks were re- 
moved, and it only remained to raise the heavy lid, and to 
expose the treasures of this long-secreted hoard. 

“ I see, in part, what all this means,” observed Deerslayer, 
“ yes, I see through it in part. But why is not Hetty pres- 
ent ? Now Thomas Hutter is gone, she is one of the own- 
ers of these cur’osities, and ought to see them opened and 
handled.” 

“ Hetty sleeps,” answered Judith, hastily. “ Happily for 




398 


THE DRERSLAYER. 


her, fine clothes and riches have no charms. Besides, she 
has this night given her share of all that the chest may hold, 
to me, that I may do with it as I please.” 

“ Is poor Hetty composs enough for that, Judith ?” de- 
manded the just minded young man. “It’s a good rule, 
and a righteous one, never to take when those that give 
don’t know the valie of their gifts ; and such as 'God has 
visited heavily in their wits, ought to be dealt with as care- 
fully as children that haven’t yet come to their understand- 
ings.” 

Judith was hurt at this rebuke, coming from the person 
it did ; but she would have felt it far more keenly, had not 
her conscience fully acquitted her of any unjust intentions 
toward her feeble-minded but confiding sister. It was not 
a moment, however, to betray any of her usual mountings 
of the spirit, and she smothered the passing sensation in 
the desire to come to the great object she had in view. 

“ Hetty will not be wronged,” she mildly answered, “ she 
even knows, not only what I am about to do, Deerslayer, 
but why I do it. So take your seat, raise the lid of the 
chest, and this time we will go to the bottom. I shall be 
disappointed if something is not found to tell us more of 
the history of Thomas Hutter and my mother.” 

“Why, Thomas Hutter, Judith, and not your father? 
The dead ought to meet with as much reverence as the 
living!” 

“ I have long suspected that Thomas Hutter was not my 
father, though I did think he might have been Hetty’s ; 
but now we know he was the father of neither. He ac- 
knowledged that much in his dying moments. I am old 
enough to remember better things than we have seen on 
this lake, though they are so faintly impressed on my mem- 
ory, that the earlier part of my life seems like a dream.” 

“ Dreams are but miserable guides when one has to de- 
tarmine about realities, Judith,” returned the other, admon- 
ishingly. “ Fancy nothing and hope nothing on their ac- 
count ; though I’ve known chiefs that thought ’em useful.” 

“ I expect nothing for the future from them, my good 
friend, but cannot help remembering what has been. This 
is idle, however, when half an hour of examination may 
tell us all, or even more than I want to know.” 

Deerslayer, who comprehended the girl’s impatience, 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


399 


now took his seat, and proceeded once more to bring to 
light the different articles that the chest contained. As 
a matter of course, all that had been previously exam- 
ined were found where they had been last deposited ; and 
they excited much less interest or comment than when 
formerly exposed to view. Even Judith laid aside the 
rich brocade with an air of indifference, for she had a far 
higher aim before her than the indulgence of vanity, and 
was impatient to come at the still hidden, or rather un- 
known, treasures. 

“All these we have seen before,” she said, “and will 
not stop to open. The bundle under your hand. Deer- 
slayer, is a fresh one ; that we will look into. God send 
it may contain something to tell poor Hetty and myself 
who we really are ! ” 

“ Ay, if some bundles could speak, they might tell 
wonderful secrets,” returned the young man, deliberately 
undoing the folds of another piece of coarse canvas in 
order to come at the contents of the roll that lay on his 
knees ; “ though this doesn’t seem to be one of that family, 
seeing ’tis neither more nor less than a sort of flag ; though 
of what nation, it passes my Tamin’ to say.” 

“That flag must have some meaning to it,” Judith hur- 
riedly interposed. “ Open it wider, Deerslayer, that we 
may see the colors.” 

“ Well, I pity the ensign that has to shoulder this cloth, 
and to parade it about in the field. Why, ’tis large enough, 
Judith, to make a dozen of them colors the king’s officers 
set so much store by. These can be no ensign’s colors, 
but a gin’ral’s ! ” 

“A ship might carry it, Deerslayer ; and ships I know 
do use such things. Have you never heard any fearful 
stories about Thomas H utter’s having once been concerned 
with the people they call buccaneers ? ” 

“ Buck-and-near ! Not I — not I — I never heard him 
mentioned as good at a buck far off, or near by. Hurry 
Harry did tell me something about its being supposed 
that he had formerly, in some way or other, de ' " 

sartain sea-robbers ; but, Lord, Judith, it c. 
give you any satisfaction to make out that . 
mother’s own husband, though he isn’t your fatl. 

“ Anything will give me satisfaction that tells n 


400 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


am, and helps to explain the dreams of my childhood. My 
mother’s husband ! Yes, he must have been that, thougli 
why a woman like her should have chosen a man like him 
is more than mortal reason can explain. You never saw 
mother, Deerslayer, and can’t feel the vast, vast diiference 
there was between them ! ” 

“ Such things do happen, howsever — yes, they do hap- 
pen ; though why Providence lets them come to pass is 
more than I understand. I’ve known the f’ercest warriors 
with the gentlest wives of any in the tribe, and awful 
scolds fall to the lot of Injins fit to be missionaries.” 

“That was not it, Deerslayer; that was not it. Oh! if 
it should prove that — no ; I cannot wish she should not 
have been his wife at all. That no daughter can wish for 
her own mother 1 Go on, now, and let us see what tlie 
square-looking bundle holds.” 

Deerslayer complied, and he found that it contained a 
small trunk of pretty workmanship, but fastened. The 
next point was to find a key ; but search proving ineffectu- 
al, it was determined to force the lock. This Deerslayer 
soon effected by tlie aid of an iron instrument, and it was 
found that the interior ^was nearly filled with papers. 
Many were letters ; some fragments of manuscripts, memo- 
randums, accounts, and other similar documents. The 
hawk does not pounce upon the chicken with a more sud- 
den swoop than Judith sprang forward to seize this mine 
of hitherto concealed knowledge. Her education, as the 
reader will have perceived, was far superior to her situ- 
ation in life, and her eye glanced over page after page of 
the letters, with a readiness that her schooling supplied 
and with an avidity that found its origin in her feelings. 
At first, it was evident that the girl was gratified, and, wc 
may add, with reason, for tlie letters, written by females, 
in innocence and affection, were of a character to cause 
^ feel proud of those with whom she had every rea- 
k she was closely connected by the ties of blood, 
■^ome within the scope of our plan to give 
,e epistles, however, than a general idea of 
and this will best be done by describing the 
iduced on the manner, appearance, and feel- 
o was so eagerly perusing them. 

.1 said, already, that Judith was much gratified 


THE DEERSL'AYER, 


40 1 


with the letters that first met her eye. They contained 
the correspondence of an affectionate and intelligent 
mother to an absent daughter, with such allusions to the 
answers as served, in a great measure, to fill up the 
vacuum left by the replies. They were not without ad- 
monitions and warnings, however, and Judith felt the 
blood mounting to her temples, and a cold shudder suc- 
ceeding, as she read one in which the propriety of the 
daughter’s indulging in as much intimacy, as had evi- 
dently been described in one of the daughter’s own letters, 
with an officer “ who came from Europe, and who could 
hardly be supposed to wish to form an honorable connec- 
tion in America,” was rather coldly commented on by the 
mother. What rendered it singular was the fact that the 
signatures had been carefully cut from every one of these 
letters, and wherever a name occurred in the body of the 
epistles, it had been erased with so much diligence as to 
render it impossible to read it. They had all been en- 
closed in envelopes, according to the fashion of the age, 
and not an address either was to be found. Still, the 
letters themselves had been religiously preserved, and 
Judith thought she could discover traces of tears remain- 
ing on several. She now remembered to have seen the 
little trunk in her mother’s keeping, previously to her 
death, and she supposed it had first been deposited in the 
chest, along with the other forgotten or concealed objects, 
when the letters could no longer contribute to that par- 
ent’s grief or happiness. 

Next came another bundle, and these were filled with 
the protestations of love, written with passion certainl)^, 
but also with that deceit which men so often think it jus- 
'tifiable to use to the other sex. Judith had shed tears 
abundantly over the first packet, but now she felt a senti- 
ment of indignation and pride better«sustaining her. Her 
hand shook, however, and cold shivers again passed 
through her frame, as she discovered a few points of 
strong resemblance between these letters and some it had 
been her own fate to receive. Once, indeed, she laid the 
packet down, bowed her head to* her knees, and seemed 
nearly convulsed. All this time Deerslayer sat a silent 
but attentive observer of everything that passed. As 
Judith read a letter she put it into his hands to hold, until 
26 


402 


THE DERRSLAYER. 


she could peruse the next ; but this seemed in no degree 
to enlighten her companion, as he was totally unable to 
read. Nevertheless, he was not entirely at fault in dis- 
covering the passions that were contending in the bosom 
of the fair creature by his side ; and, as occasional sen- 
tences escaped her in murmurs, he was nearer the truth, 
in his divinations or conjectures, than the girl would have 
been pleased at discovering. 

Judith had commenced with the earliest letters, luckily 
for a ready comprehension of the tale they told ; for they 
were carefully arranged in chronological order, and, to 
any one who would take the trouble to peruse them, 
would have revealed a sad history of gratified passion, 
coldness, and, finally, of aversion. As she obtained the 
clew to their import, her impatience could not admit of 
delay, and she soon got to glancing her eyes over a page, 
by way of coming at the truth in the briefest manner pos- 
sible. By adopting this expedient, one to which all who 
are eager to arrive at results, without encumbering them- 
selves with details, are so apt to resort, Judith made a 
rapid progress in this melancholy revelation of her 
mother’s failings and punishment. She saw that the 
period of her own birth was distinctly referred to, and 
even learned that the homely name she bore was given 
her by the father of whose person she retained so faint an 
impression as to resemble a dream. This name was not 
obliterated from the text of the letters, but stood as if 
nothing was to be gained by erasing it. Hetty’s birth was 
mentioned once, and in that instance the name was. the 
mother’s ; but ere this period was reached came the signs 
of coldness, shadowing forth the desertion that was so 
soon to follow. It was in this stage of the correspondence 
that her mother had recourse to the plan of copying her 
own epistles. They were but few, but were eloquent with 
the feelings of blighted affection and contrition. Judith 
sobbed over them until again and again she felt com- 
pelled to lay them aside, from sheer physical inability to 
see, her eyes being literally obscured with tears. Still 
she returned to the ta*sk, with increasing interest, and 
finally succeeded in reaching the end of the last commu- 
nication that had probably ever passed between her 
parents. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


403 


All this occupied fully an hour ; for near a hundred let- 
ters were glanced at, and some twenty had been closely 
read. The truth now shone clear upon the acute mind of 
Judith, so far as her own birth and that of Hetty were con- 
cerned. She sickened at the conviction, and, for the 
moment, the rest of the world seemed to be cut off from 
her, and she had now additional reasons for wishing to 
pass the remainder of her life on the lake, where she had 
already seen so many bright and so many sorrowing days. 

There yet remained more letters to examine. Judith 
found these were a correspondence between her mother 
and Thomas Hovey. The originals of both parties were 
carefully arranged, letter and answer side by side ; and 
they told the early history of the connection between the 
ill-assorted pair far more plainly than Judith wished to 
learn it. Her mother made the advances toward a mar- 
riage, to the surprise, not to say horror, of her daughter ; 
and she actually found a relief when she discovered traces 
of what struck her as insanity, or a morbid disposition bor- 
dering on that dire calamity, in the earlier letters of that ill- 
fated woman. The answers of Hovey were coarse and illit- 
erate, though they manifested a sufficient desire to obtain 
the hand of a woman of singular personal attractions, and 
whose great error he was willing to overlook, for the ad- 
vantage of possessing one every way so much his superior, 
and who, it also appeared, was not altogether destitute of 
money. The remainder of this part of the correspondence 
was brief ; and it was soon confined to a few communications 
on business, in which the miserable wife hastened the ab- 
sent husband in his preparations to abandon a world which 
there was a sufficient reason to think was as dangerous to 
one of the parties as it was disagreeable to the other. 
But a single expression had escaped her mother, by which 
Judith could get a clew to the motives that had induced 
her to marry Hovey, or Hutter ; and this she found was 
that feeling of resentment which so often tempts the in- 
jured to inflict wrongs on themselves, by way of heaping 
coals on the heads of those through whom they have suf- 
fered. Judith had enough of the spirit of that mother to 
comprehend this sentiment, and for a moment did she see 
the exceeding folly which permitted such revengeful feel- 
ings to get the ascendency. 


404 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


There what may. be called the historical part of the 
papers ceased. Among the loose fragments, however, was 
an old newspaper that contained a proclamation offering a 
reward for the apprehension of certain free-booters by 
name, among which was that of Thomas Hovey. The at- 
tention of the girl was drawn to the proclamation, and to 
tliis particular name, by the circumstance that black lines 
had been drawn under both in ink. Nothing else was 
found among the papers that could lead to a discovery of 
either the name or the place of residence of the wife of 
Hutter. All the dates, signatures, and addresses had been 
cut from the letters, and wherever a word occurred in the 
body of the communications that might furnish a clew, it 
was scrupulously erased. Thus Judith found all her hopes 
of ascertaining who her parents were, defeated, and she 
was obliged to fall back on her own resources and habits 
for everything connected with the future. Her recollec- 
tion of her mother’s manners, conversation, and sufferings, 
filled up many a gap in the historical facts she had now 
discovered ; and the truth in its outlines stood sufficiently 
distinct before her to take away all desire, indeed, to pos- 
sess any more details. Tlirowing herself back in her seat, 
she simply desired her companion to finish the examina- 
tion of the other articles in the chest, as it might yet con- 
tain something of importance. 

“ I’ll doit, Judith — I’ll doit,” returned the patient Deer- 
slayer ; “ but if there’s many more letters to read, we shall 
see the sun ag’in afore you’ve got through with the read- 
ing of them ! Two good hours have you been looking at 
them bits of papers ! ” 

“They tell me of my parents, Deerslayer, and have set- 
tled my plans for life. A girl may be excused, who reads 
about her oivn father and mother, and that, too, for the first 
time in her life ! I am sorry to have kept you waiting.” 

“Never mind me, gal ; never mind me. It matters lit- 
tle whether I sleep or watch ; but though you be pleasant 
to look at, and are so handsome, Judith, it is not alto- 
gether agreeable to sit so long to behold you shedding 
tears. I know that tears don’t kill, and that some people 
are better for shedding a few now and then, especially 
women ; but I’d rather see you smile any time, Judith, than 
see you weep.” 


THE DE:ERS LAYER. 


405 


This gallant speech was rewarded with a sweet though 
a melancholy smile ; and then the girl again desired her 
companion to finish the examination of the chest. The 
search necessarily continued some time, during which 
Judith collected her tlioughts and regained her compos- 
ure. She took no part in the search, leaving everything 
to the young man, looking listlessly herself at the different 
articles that came uppermost. Nothing further of much 
interest or value, however, was found. A sword or two, 
such as were then worn by gentlemen, some buckles of 
silver, or so richly plated as to appear silver, and a few 
handsome articles of female dress, composed the principal 
discoveries. It struck both Judith and the Deerslayer, 
notwithstanding, that some of these things might be made 
useful in effecting a negotiation with the Iroquois, though 
the latter saw a difficulty in the way that was not so ap- 
parent to the former. The conversation was first renewed 
in connection with this point. 

“And now, Deerslayer,” said Judith, “we may talk of 
yourself, and of the means of getting you out of the hands 
of the Hurons. Any part or all of what you have seen 
in the chest will be cheerfully given by me and Hetty to 
set you at liberty.” 

“ Well, that’s ginerous — yes, ’tis downright free-hearted, 
and free-handed and ginerous. This is the way with 
women ; when they take up a fri’ndship, they do nothing 
by halves, but are as willing to part with their property 
as if it had no valie in their eyes. Howsever, while I thank 
you both, just as much as if the bargain was made, and 
Rivenoak, or any of the other vagabonds, was here to ac- 
cept and close the treaty, there’s two principal reasons 
why it can never come to pass, which may be as well told 
at once, in order no onlikely expectations may be raised 
in you, or any onjustifiable hopes in me.” 

“ What reason can there be, if Hetty and I are willing 
to part with the trifles for your sake, and the savages are 
willing to receive them ? ” 

“That’s it, Judith -you’ve got the idees, but they’re a 
little out of their places, as if a hound should take the 
back’ard instead of the leading scent. That the Mingobs 
will be willing to receive them things, or any more like 
’em you may have to offer, is probable enough ; but 


4o6 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


whether they’ll pay valie for ’em is quite another matter. 
Ask yourself, Judith, if any one should send you a message 
to say that, for such or such a price, you and Hetty might 
have that chist and all it holds, whether you’d think it 
worth your while to waste many words on the bargain?” 

“ But this chest and all it holds are already ours ; there 
is no reason why we should purchase what is already our 
own.” 

“Just so the Mingoes calculate ! They say the chist is 
theirs already, or as good as theirs, and they’ll not thank 
anybody for the key.” 

“ I understand you, Deerslayer ; surely we are yet in 
possession of the lake, and we can keep possession of it 
until Hurry sends troops to drive off the enemy. This we 
may certainly do, provided you will stay with us, instead 
of going back and giving yourself up a prisoner again, 
as you now seem determined on.” 

“That Hurry Harry should talk in this way, is nat’ral 
and according to the gifts of the man. He knows no bet- 
ter, and, therefore, he is little likely to feel or to act an3^ 
better ; but, Judith, I put it to your heart and conscience 
— would you, could you think of me as favorably as I hope 
and believe you now do, was I to forget my furlough and 
not go back to the camp ? ” 

“To think more favorably of you than I now do, Deer- 
slayer, would not be easy ; but I might continue to think 
as favorably — at least it seems so— I hope I could ; for a 
world wouldn’t tempt me to let you do anything that 
might change my real opinion of you.” 

“Then don’t try to entice me to overlook my furlough, 
gal ! A furlough is a sacred thing among warriors, and 
men that carry their lives in their hands, as we of the for- 
est do ; and what a grievous disappointment would it be 
to old Tamenund, and to Uncas, the father of the Sarpent, 
and to my other fri’nds in the tribe, if I was so to disgrace 
myself on my very first war-path ? This you will par- 
ceive, moreover, Judith is without laying any stress on 
nat’ral gifts, and a white man’s duties, to say nothing of 
conscience. The last is king with me, and I try never to 
dispute his orders.” 

“ I believe you are right, Deerslayer,” returned the girl, 
after a little reflection, and in a saddened voice ; “a man 


THE DEER SLAYER. 


407 


like you ought not to act as the selfish and dishonest would 
be apt to act ; you must, indeed, go back. We will talk no 
more of this, then ; should I persuade you to anything 
for which you would be sorry hereafter, my own regret 
would not be less than yours. You shall not have it to say, 
Judith — I scarce know by what name to call myself, 
now ! ” 

“ And why not ? why not, gal .? Children take the 
names of their parents nat’rally and by a sort of gift, like ; 
and why shouldn’t you and Hetty do as others have done 
afore ye ? Hutter as the old man’s name, and Hutter 
should be the na of his darters — at least until you are 
given away in la- and holy wedlock.” 

“I am Judith, Judith only,” returned the girl, posi- 
tively ; “until th ' V gives me a right to another name. 
Never will I use i. t of Thomas Hutter again; nor, with 
my consent, shall r- tty! Hutter was not his own name, 
I find ; but had ^ ; thousand rights to it, it would give 

none to me. was not my father, thank Pleaven ; 

though I may h no reason to be proud of him that 
was!" 

“ This is Strang said Deerslayer, looking steadily at 
the excited giri, anxious to know more, but unwilling to 
inquire into matters that did not properly concern him ; 
yes, this is very strange and oncommon 1 Thomas Hutter 
wasn’t Thomas Hutter, and his darters weren’t his darters ! 
Who, then, could Thomas Hutter be, and who are his 
• Arrers ' ’ 

“ L id you never hear anything whispered against the 
f il ier life of this person, Deerslayer ? ” demanded Judith. 
' # ' - ‘ing, as I did, for his child, such reports reached even 

me. 

■14 not deny it, Judith; no. I’ll not deny it, sartin 
Le.igs have been said, as I’ve told you ; but I’m not very 
Cl', Ilble as to reports. Young as I am. I’ve lived long 
enqpgh tol’arn there’s two sorts of characters in the world. 
Th -rn that is ’arned by deeds, and them that is ’arned by 
t 'rigues ; and so I prefer to see and judge for myself in- 
st( ;-d of letting every jaw that chooses to wag become my 
; : Jge. Harry Hurry spoke pretty plainly of the whole 
family, as we journeyed this-a-way, and he did hint some- 
b.;;ng consarning Thomas Hutter’s having been a free-liver 


4o8 


thp: deerslayer. 


on the water in his younger days. By free-liver I mean 
that he made free to live on other men’s goods.” 

“ He told you he was a pirate — there is no need of 
mincing matters between friends. Read that, Deerslayer, 
and you Avill see that he told you no more than the truth. 
This Thomas Hovey was the Thomas Hutter you knew, 
as is seen by these letters.” 

As Judith spoke with a flushed cheek and eyes dazzling 
with the brilliancy of excitement, she hel J ;^e newspaper 
toward her companion, pointing to the ; ' .lamation of a 
colonial governor, already mentioned. 

“Bless you, Judith!” answered the (. .iier, laughing; 
“you might as well ask me to prir., ' nat — or, for that 
matter, to write it. My edication ha : leeen altogether in 
the woods ; the only book I read, or ca r about reading, is 
the one which God has opened afoix ' his creatur’s in the 
noble forests, broad lakes, rolling rivers, blue skies, and 
the winds, and tempests, and sunshii. . and other glorious 
marvels of the land ! This book I c: ead, and 1 find it 
full of wisdom and knowledge.” 

“I crave your pardon, Deerslayer,” id Judith, earn- 
estly, more abashed than was her wont, . inding that she 
had inadvertently made an appeal that nught ,wound her 
companion’s pride. “ I had forgotten your inanne/ of life, 
and least of all did I wish to hurt your feelings. ' 

“Hurt my feelin’s ! why should it hurt my n’s to 
ask me to read, when I can’t read ? I’m a hunt^ r ' vnd I 
may now begin to say a warrior, and no missionary 
therefore, books and papers are of no account wi“-p'f* ich 
as I. No, no, Judith” — and here the young man 1 '■ ^ d 
cordially — “ not even for wads, seeing that your true = : )- 

killer always uses the hide of a fa’an, if he’s got oh: >r 
some other bit of leather suitably prepared. There’s "e 
one that do say, all that stands in print is true ; in ■ U li 
case. I’ll own an unl’arned man must be somewhat a 
loser ; nevertheless, it can’t be truer than that which od 
has printed with his own hand, in the sky, and the wt ' ''i ■, 
and the rivers, and the springs.” 

“ Well, then, Hutter, or Hovey, was a pirate ; and, 1 .'g 

no father of mine, I cannot wish to call him one. His . r i ' 
shall no longer be my name.” 

“If you dislike the name of that man, there’s the m: - '- 


TIIK DKE 2 <^SLAYER. 409 

of your mother, Judith. Her name may sarve you just as 
good a turn.” 

“ I do not know it. I’ve looked through those papers, 
Deerslayer, in the hope of finding some hint by which I 
might discover who my mother was ; but there is no more 
trace of the past, in that respect, than the bird leaves in 
the air.” 

“ That’s both oncommon and onreasonable. Parents 
are bound to give their offspring a name, even though they 
give ’em nothing else. Now, I come of a humble stock, 
though we have Avhite gifts and a white natur’ ; but we are 
not so poorly off as to have no name. Bumppo we are 
called, and I’ve heard it said,” a touch of human vanity 
glowing on his cheek, “ that the time has been when the 
Bumppos had more standing and note among mankind 
than they have just now.” 

“They never deserved them more, Deerslayer, and the 
name is a good one ; either Hetty or myself would a thou- 
sand times rather be called Hetty Bumppo or Judith 
Bumppo, than to be called Hetty or Judith Hutter.” 

“ That’s a moral impossible,” returned the hunter, good- 
humoredly, ‘Hinless one of you should so far demean her- 
self as to marry me.” 

Judith could not refrain from smiling when she found 
how simply and naturally the conversation had come round 
to the very point at which she had aimed to bring it. Al- 
though far from unfeminine or forward, either in her feel- 
ings or her habits, the girl was goaded by a sense of wrongs 
not altogether merited, incited by the helplessness of a 
future that seemed to contain no resting-place, and still 
more influenced by feelings that were as novel to her as 
they proved to be active and engrossing. The opening 
was too good, therefore, to be neglected, though she came 
to the subject with much of the indirectness, and, perhaps, 
justifiable address of a woman. 

“ I do not think Hetty will ever marry, Deerslayer,” she 
said ; “if your name is to be borne by either of us, it must 
be borne by me.” 

“ There’s been handsome women, too, they tell me, among 
the Bumppos, Judith, afore now, and should you take up 
with the name, oncommon as you be, in this particular, 
them that knows the family won’t be altogether surprised.” 


410 


THE DRFjESLAYER, 


“ This is not talking as becomes either of us, Deerslayer ; 
for whatever is said on such a subject between man and 
woman, should be said seriously, and in sincerity of heart. 
Forgetting the shame that ought to keep girls silent until 
spoken to in most cases, I will deal with you as frankly as 
I know one of your generous nature will most like to be 
dealt by. Can you — do you think, Deerslayer, that you 
could be happy with such a wife as a woman like myself 
would make ? " 

“A woman like you, Jut^ith ! But where’s the sense in 
trifling about such a thing ? A woman like you, that is 
handsome enough to be a captain’s lady, and fine enough, 
and, so far as I know, edication enough, would be little apt 
to think of becoming my wife. I suppose young gals that 
feel themselves to be smart, and know themselves to be 
handsome, find a sartain satisfaction in passing their jokes 
ag’in them that’s neither, like a poor Delaware hunter.” 

This was said good-naturedly, but not without a betrayal 
of feeling which showed that something like mortified sen- 
sibility was blended with the reply. Nothing could have 
occurred more likely to awaken all Judith’s generous re- 
grets, or to aid her in her purpose by adding the stimulant 
of a disinterested desire to atone to her other impulses, 
and clothing all under a guise so winning and natural as 
greatly to lessen the unpleasant feature of a forwardness 
unbecoming the sex. 

“You do me injustice if you suppose I have any such 
thought or wish,” she answered, earnestly. “ Never was 
I more serious in my life, or more willing to abide by any 
agreement that we may make to-night. I have had many 
suitors, Deerslayer — nay, scarce an unmarried trapper or 
hunter has been in at the lake these four years who has 
not offered to take me away with him, and I fear some 
that were married too ” 

“Ay, I’ll warrant that!” interrupted the other. “I’ll 
warrant all that ! Take ’em as a body, Judith, ’arth don’t 
hold a set of men more given to theirselves and less given 
to God and the law.” 

“Not one of them would I — could I listen to ; happily 
for myself, perhaps, has it been that such was the case. 
There have been well-looking youth among them, too, as 
you may have seen in your acquaintance, Henry March.” 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


411 

“Yes, Hurry is sightly to the eye, though, to my idees, 
less to the judgment. I thought, at first, you meant to 
have him, Judith, I did ; but, afore he went, it was easy 
enough to verify that the same lodge wouldn’t be big 
enough for you both.” 

“You have done me justice in that, at least, Deerslayer. 
Hurry is a man I could never marry, though he were ten 
times more comely to the eye, and a hundred times more 
stout of heart than he really is.” 

“Why not, Judith — why not? I own I’m cur’ous to 
know why a youth like Hurry shouldn’t find favor with 
a maiden like you ? ” 

“Then you shall know, Deerslayer,” returned the girl, 
gladly availing herself of the opportunity of extolling the 
qualities which had so strongly interested her in her lis- 
tener, hoping by these means covertly to approach the 
subject nearest her heart. “ In the first place, looks in a 
man are of no importance with a woman, provided he is 
manly, and not disfigured or deformed.” 

“ There I can’t altogether agree with you,” returned the 
other, thoughtfully, for he had a very humble opinion 
of his own personal appearance ; “ I have noticed that 
the comeliest warriors commonly* get the best-looking 
maidens of the tribe for wives ; and the Sarpent, yonder, 
who is sometimes wonderful in his paint, is a gineral favor- 
ite with all the Delaware young women, though he takes 
to Hist, himself, as if she was the only beauty on ’arth ! ” 

“ It may be so with Indians, but it is different with white 
girls. So long as a young man has a straight and manly 
frame, that promises to make him able to protect a woman, 
and to keep want from the door, it is all they ask of 
the figure. Giants like Hurry may do for grenadiers, 
but are of little account as lovers. Then as to the face, an 
honest look, one that answers for the heart within, is of 
more value than any shape, or color, or eyes, or teeth, or 
trifles like them. The last may do for girls, but who thinks 
of them at all in a hunter, or a warrior, or a husband ? If 
there are women so silly, Judith’s not among them.” 

“Well, this is wonderful ! I always thought that hand- 
some liked handsome, as riches love riches ! ” 

“ It may be so with you men, Deerslayer, but it is not 
always so with us women. We like stout-hearted men, but 


412 


THE DEERSLA^YER. 


we wish to see them modest ; sure on a hunt or the war- 
path, ready to die for the right, and unwilling to yield to 
the wrong. Above all, we wish for honesty — tongues that 
are not used to say what the mind does not mean, and 
hearts that feel a little for others as well as for themselves. 
A true-hearted girl could die for such a husband ! while the 
boaster, and the double-tongued suitor, gets to be as hate- 
ful to the sight as he is to the mind.” 

Judith spoke bitterly, and with her usual force, but her 
listener was too much struck with the novelty of the sensa- 
tions he experienced to advert to her manner. There was 
something so soothing to the humility of a man of his 
temperament to hear qualities that he could not but know 
he possessed himself thus highly extolled by the loveliest 
female he had ever beheld, that, for the moment, his facul- 
ties seemed suspended in a natural and excusable pride. 
Then it was that the idea of the possibility of such a creat- 
ure as Judith becoming his companion for life first crossed 
his mind. The image was so pleasant and so novel, that 
he continued completely absorbed by it for more than a 
minute, totally regardless of the beautiful reality that was 
seated before him, watching the expression of his upright 
and truth-telling countenance with a keenness that gave 
her a very fair if not an absolutely accurate clew to his 
thoughts. Never before had so pleasing a vision floated 
before the mind’s eye of the young hunter ; but, accus- 
tomed most to practical things, and little addicted to sub- 
mitting to the power of his imagination, even while pos- 
sessed of so much true poetical feeling in connection with 
natural objects in particular, he soon recovered his reason, 
and smiled at his own weakness as the fancied picture 
faded from his mental sight, and left him the simple, un- 
taught, but highly-moral being he was, seated in the ark 
of Thomas Hutter, at midnight, with tlie lovely counte- 
nance of its late owner’s reputed daughter beaming on him 
with anxious scrutiny by the light of the solitary lamp. 

“You’re wonderful handsome, and enticing, and pleas- 
ing to look on, Judith !” he exclaimed, in his simplicity, 
as fact resumed its ascendency over fancy. “Wonderful ! 
I don’t remember ever to have seen so beautiful a gal, 
even among the Delawares ; and I’m not astonished tliat 
Hurry Harry went away soured as well as disapp’inted ! ” 


Tim l^EERSLAYER. 


413 

“Would you have had me, Deerslayer, become the wife 
of such a man as Henry March ?” 

“There’s that which is in his favor, and there’s that 
which is ag’in him. To my taste, Hurry wouldn’t make 
the best of husbands, but I fear that the tastes of most 
young women, hereaway, wouldn’t be so hard upon him!” 

“No — no — Judith, without a name, would never con- 
sent to be called Judith March I Anything would be bet- 
ter than that! ” 

“Judith Bumppo wouldn’t sound as well, gal; and 
there’s many names that would fall short of March, in 
pleasing the ear.” 

“ Ah ! Deerslayer, the pleasantness of the sound, in such 
cases, does not come through the heart. Everything is 
agreeable when the heart is satisfied. Were Natty Bump- 
po Henry March, and Henry March Natty Bumppo, I 
might think the name of March better than it is ; or were 
he you, I should fancy the name of Bumppo horrible 1 ” 

“That’s just it — yes, that’s the reason of the matter. 
Now, I’m nat’rally averse to sarpents, and I hate even the 
word which, the missionaries tell me, comes from human 
natur’, on account of a sartin sarpent, at the creation of the 
’arth, that outwitted the first woman yet ever since Chin- 
gachgook has ’arned the title he bears, why, the sound is as 
pleasant to my ears as the whistle of the whippoorwill of a 
calm evening — it is. The feelin’s make all the difference 
in the world, Judith, in the natur’ of sounds ; ay, even in 
that of looks, too.” 

“ That is so true, Deerslayer, that I am surprised you 
should think it remarkable a girl, who may have some come- 
liness herself, should not think it necessary that her hus- 
band should have the same advantage, or what you fancy 
an advantage. To me, looks in a man are nothing, pro- 
vided his countenance be as honest as his heart.” 

“ Yes, honesty is a great advantage, in the long run ; and 
they that are the most apt to forget it, in the beginning, 
are the most apt to Tarn it in the ind. Nevertheless, there’s 
more, Judith, that look to present profit than to the bene- 
fit that is to come after a time. One they think a sartainty, 
and the other an onsartainty. I’m glad, howsever, that jw/ 
look at the thing in its true light, and not in the way in 
which so many is apt to deceive themselves.” 


414 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


“ I do thus look at it, Deerslayer, ” returned the girl with 
emphasis, still shrinking with a woman’s sensitiveness from 
a direct offer of her hand, “ and can say, from the bottom 
of my heart, that I would rather trust my happiness to a 
man whose truth and feelings may be depended on, than 
to a false-tongued and false-hearted wretch, that had chests 
of gold, and houses, and lands — yes, though he were even 
seated on a throne ! ” 

^ “ These are brave words, Judith ; they’re downright brave 
words ; but do you think that the feelin’s would keep ’em 
company, did the ch’ice actually lie afore you ? If a gay 
gallant in a scarlet coat stood on one side, with his head 
smelling like a deer’s foot, his face smooth and blooming 
as your own, his hands as white and soft as if God hadn’t 
bestowed ’em that man might live by the sweat of his brow, 
and his step as lofty as dancing-teachers and a light heart 
could make it ; and on the other side stood one that has 
passed his days in the open air till his forehead is as red as 
his cheek ; and cut his way through swamps and bushes 
till his hand was as rugged as the oaks he slept under ; had 
trodden on the scent of game till his step was as stealthy 
as the catamount’s, and had no other pleasant odor about 
him than such as Natur’ gives in the free air and the forest 
— now if both these men stood here, as suitors for your 
feelin’s, which do you think would win your favor? ” 

Judith’s fine face flushed ; for the picture that her com- 
panion had so simply drawn of a gay officer of the garrisons 
had once been particularly grateful to her imagination, 
though experience and disappointment had not only chilled 
all her affections, but given them a backward current, and 
the passing image had a momentary influence on her feel- 
ings ; but the mounting color was succeeded by a paleness 
so deadly as to make her appear ghastly. 

“ As God is my judge,” the girl solemnly answered, 
“ did both these men stand before me, as I may say one of 
them does, my choice, if I know my own heart, would be 
the latter. I have no wish for a husband who is in any 
way better than myself.” 

“This is pleasant to listen to, and might lead a young 
man, in time, to forget his own unworthiness, Judith ! 
Howsever, you hardly think all that you say. A man like 
me is too rude and ignorant for one that has had such a 


THE DERRSLAYER. 


41S 

mother to teach her. Vanity is nat’ral, I do believe ; but 
vanity like that would surpass reason ! ” 

“ Then you do not know of what a woman’s heart is 
capable! Rude are not, Deerslayer ! nor can one be 
called ignorant that has studied what is before his eyes as 
closely as you have done. When the affections are con- 
cerned, all things appear in their pleasantest colors, and tri- 
fles are overlooked or are forgotten.* When the heart feels 
a sunshine, nothing is gloomy ; even dull-looking objects 
seeming gay and bright ; and so it would be between you 
and the woman who should love you, even though your wife 
might happen, in some matters, to possess what the world 
calls the advantage over you.” 

“Judith, you come from people altogether above mine, 
in the world ; and onequal matches, like onequal friend- 
ships, can’t often tarminate kindly. I speak of this mat- 
ter altogether as a fanciful thing, since it’s not very likely 
thatyoif, at least, would be able to treat it as a matter that 
can ever come to pass.” 

Judith fastened her deep blue eyes on the open, frank 
countenance of her companion, as if she would read his 
soul. Nothing there betrayed any covert meaning, and 
she was obliged to admit to herself that he regarded the 
conversation as argumentative, rather than positive, and 
that he was still without any active suspicion that her 
feelings were seriously involved in the issue. At first she 
felt offended ; then she saw the injustice of making the 
self-abasement and modesty of the hunter a charge against 
him ; and this novel difficulty gave a piquancy to the 
state of affairs that rather increased her interest in the 
young man. At that critical instant, a change of plan 
flashed on her mind, and with a readiness of invention 
that is peculiar to the quick-witted and ingenious, she 
adopted a scheme by which she hoped effectually to bind 
him to her person. This scheme partook equally of her 
fertility of invention, and of the decision and boldness of 
her character. That the conversation might not termi- 
nate too abruptly, however, or any suspicion of her de- 
sign exist, she answered the last remark of Deerslayer as 
earnestly and as truly as if her original intention remained 
unaltered. 

“ I certainly have no reason to boast of parentage, after 


4i6 


rilE DRRRSLA YRR. 


what I have seen this night,” said the girl, in a saddened 
voice. “I had a mother, it is true, but of her name, even, 
I am ignorant ; and as for my father, it is better, perhaps, 
that I should never know who he was, lest I speak too 
bitterly of him ! ” 

“ Judith,” said Deerslayer, taking her hand kindly, and 
with a manly sincerity that went directly to the girl’s 
heart, “ ’tis better to say no more to-night. Sleep on what 
you’ve seen and felt ; in the morning things that now 
look gloomy may look more cheerful. Above all, never 
-do anything in bitterness, or because you feel as if you’d 
like to take revenge on yourself for other people’s back- 
slidings. All that has been said or done atween us this 
night, is your secret, and shall never be talked of by me, 
even with the Sarpent ; and you may be sartain if he can’t 
get it out of me, no man can. If your parents have been 
faulty, let the darter be less so ; remember that you’re 
young, and the youthful may always hope for better thnes ; 
that you’re more quick-witted than usual, and such gin’- 
rally get the better of difficulties ; and that as for beauty, 
you’re oncommon ; this is an advantage with all. It is 
time to get a little rest, for to-morrow is like to prove a 
trying day to some of us.” 

Deerslayer arose as he spoke, and Judith had no choice 
but to comply. The chest was closed and secured, and 
they parted in silence ; she to take her place by the side 
of Hist and Hetty, and he to seek a blanket on the floor 
of the cabin he was in. It was not five minutes ere the 
young man was in a deep sleep ; but the girl continued 
awake for a long time. She scarcely knew whether to la- 
ment or to rejoice, at having failed in making herself un- 
derstood. On the one hand were her womanly sensibili- 
ties spared ; on the other was the disappointment of 
defeated, or at least of delayed expectations, and the un- 
certainty of a future tliat looked so dark. Then came the 
new resolution and the bold project for the morrow ; and 
when drowsiness finally shut her eyes, they closed on a 
scene of success and happiness, that was pictured by the 
fancy, under the influence of a sanguine temperament and 
a happy invention. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


417 


CHAPTER XXV. 

“But, mother, now a shade has past 
Athwart my brightest visions here, 

A cloud of darkest gloom has wrapt 
The remnant of my brief career ! 

No song, no echo can I win ; 

The sparkling fount has dried within.” 

— Margaret Davidson. 

Hist and Hetty arose with the return of light, leaving 
Judith still buried in sleep. It took but a minute for the 
first to complete her toilet. Her long coal-black hair was 
soon adjusted in a simple knot, the calico dress belted 
tight to her slender waist, and her little feet concealed in 
their gaudily-ornamented moccasins. When attired, she 
left her companion employed in household affairs, and 
went herself on the platform, to breathe the pure air of 
the morning. Here she found Chingachgook studying 
the shores of the lake, and mountains, and the heavens, 
with the sagacity of a man of the woods, and the gravity 
of an Indian. 

The meeting between the two lovers was simple but af- 
fectionate. The chief showed a manly kindness, equally 
removed from boyish weakness and haste ; while the girl 
betrayed in her smile and half-averted looks the bashful 
tenderness of her sex. Neither spoke, unless it were with 
the eyes, though each understood the other as fully as if a 
vocabulary of words and protestations had been poured 
out. Hist seldom appeared to more advantage than at 
that moment ; for, just from her rest and ablutions, there 
was a freshness about her youthful form and face that the 
toils of the wood do not always permit to be exhibited by 
even the juvenile and pretty. Then Judith had not only 
imparted some of her own skill in the toilet, during their 
short intercourse, but she had actually bestowed a few 
well-selected ornaments from her own stores, that contrib- 
uted not a little to set off tlie natural graces of the 
Indian maid. All this the lover saw and felt, and for a 
moment his countenance was illuminated with a look of 


27 


4i8 


THE DEERS LAYER. 


pleasure ; but it soon grew grave again, and became sad- 
dened and anxious. The stools used the previous night 
were still standing on the platform ; placing two against 
the walls of the hut, he seated himself on one, making a 
gesture to his companion to take the other. This done, 
he continued thoughtful and silent for quite a minute, 
maintaining the reflecting dignity of one born to take his 
seat at the council-fire, while Hist was furtively watching 
the expression on his face, patient and submissive, as be- 
came a woman of her people. Then the young warrior 
stretched his arm before him, as if to point out the glories 
of the scene at that witching hour, when the whole pano- 
rama, as usual, was adorned by the mellow distinctness of 
early morning, sweeping with his hand slowly over the 
lake, hills, and heavens. The girl followed the movement 
with pleased wonder, smiling as each new beauty met her 
gaze. 

“ Hugh ! ” exclaimed the chief, in admiration of a scene 
so unusual even to him, for this was the first lake he had 
ever beheld. “ This is the country of the Manitou ! It is 
too good for the Mingoes, Hist ; but the curs of that tribe 
are liowling in packs through the woods. They think 
that the Delawares are asleep, over the mountains.” 

“All but one of them is, Chingachgook. There is one 
here ; and he is of the blood of Uncas ! ” 

“ What is one Avarrior against a tribe ? The path to our 
villages is very long and crooked, and we shall travel it 
under a cloudy sky. I am afraid, too, Honeysuckle of the 
Hills, that we shall travel it alone ! ” 

Hist understood the allusion, and it made her sad ; 
though it sounded SAveet to her ears to be compared, by 
the Avarrior she so loved, to the most fragrant and the 
pleasantest of all the Avild flowers of her native Avoods. 
Still she continued silent, as became her Avhen the allusion 
was to a grave interest that men could best control, though 
it exceeded the power of education to conceal the smile 
that gratified feeling brought to her pretty mouth. 

“When the sun is thus,” continued the Delaware, point- 
ing to the zenith, by simply casting up a hand and finger, 
by a play of the Avrist, “ the great hunter of our tribe AAdll 
go back to the Hurons to be treated like a bear, that they 
roast and skin, even on full stomachs,” 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


419 


“ The Great Spirit may soften their hearts, and not suf- 
fer them to be so bloody-minded. I have lived among the 
Hurons, and know them. They have hearts, and will not 
forget their own children, should they fall into the hands 
of the Delawares.” 

“A wolf is forever howling ; a hog will always eat. They 
have lost warriors ; even their women will call out for 
vengeance. The pale-face has the eyes of an eagle, and can 
see into a Mingo’s heart ; he looks for no mercy. There is 
a cloud over his spirit, though it is not before his face.” 

A long, thoughtful pause succeeded, during which Hist 
stealthily took the hand of the chief, as if seeking his sup- 
port, though she scarce ventured to raise her eyes to a 
countenance that was now literally becoming terrible, 
under the conflicting passions and stern resolution that 
were struggling in the breast of its owner. 

“What will the son of Uncasdo?” the girl at length 
timidly asked. “ He is a chief, and is already celebrated 
in council, though so young ; what does his heart tell him 
is wisest ? Does the head, too, speak the same words as 
the heart ? ” 

“ What does Wah-ta !-Wah say, at a moment when my 
dearest friend is in danger ? The smallest birds sing the 
sweetest ; it is always pleasant to hearken to their songs. 
I wish I could hear the Wren of the Woods in my diffi- 
culty ; its note would reach deeper than the ear.” 

Again Hist experienced the profound gratification that 
the language of praise can always awaken, when uttered 
by those we love. The “ Honeysuckle of the Hills ” was 
a term often applied to the girl by the young men of the 
Delawares, though it never sounded so sweet in her ears as 
from the lips of Chingachgook ; but the latter alone had 
ever styled her the Wren of the Woods. With him, how- 
ever, it had got to be a familiar phrase, and it was past ex- 
pression pleasant to the listener, since it conveyed to her 
mind the idea that her advice and sentiments were as ac- 
ceptable to her future husband as the tones of her voice 
and modes of conveying them were agreeable, uniting 
the two things most prized by an Indian girl as coming 
from her betrothed, admiration for a valued physical ad- 
vantage with respect for her opinion. She pressed the 
hand she held between both her own, and answered : 


' 420 


THE DEERSHIYER. 


“ Wah-ta !-Wah says that neither she nor the Great Ser- 
pent could ever laugh again, or ever sleep without dream- 
ing of the Hurons, should the Deerslayer die under a Min- 
go tomahawk, and they do nothing to save him. She would 
rather go back, and start on her long path alone, than 
let such a dark cloud pass before her happiness.” 

“ Good ! The husband and his wife will have b,ut one 
heart ; they will see with the same eyes, and feel with the 
same feelings.” 

What further was said need not be related here. That 
the conversation was of Deerslayer and his hopes had been 
seen already, but the decision that was to come to will bet- 
ter appear in the course of the narrative. The youthful 
pair were yet conversing when the sun appeared above 
the tops of the pines, and the light of a brilliant American 
day streamed down into the valley, bathing ‘‘in deep joy” 
the lake, the forest, and the mountain-sides. Just at this 
instant Deerslayer came out of the cabin of the ark, and 
stepped upon the platform. His first look was at the 
cloudless heavens, then his rapid glance took in the entire 
panorama of land and water, when he had leisure fora 
friendly nod at his friends, and a cheerful smile for Hist. 

“Well,” he said, in his usual composed manner and 
pleasant voice ; “ he that sees the sun set in the west, and 
wakes early enough in the morning, will be sartain to find 
him coming back ag’in in the east, like a buck that is 
hunted round his ha’nts. I daresay, now. Hist, you’ve 
beheld this, time and ag’iri, and yet it never entered your 
galish mind to ask the reason ?” 

Both Chingachgook and his betrothed looked up at the 
luminary, with an air that betokened sudden wonder, and 
then they gazed at each other, as if to seek the solution of 
the difficulty. Familiarity deadens the sensibilities, even 
as connected with the gravest natural phenomena ; and 
never before had these simple beings thought of inquiring 
into a movement that was of daily occurrence, however 
puzzling it might appear on investigation. When the sub- 
ject was thus suddenly started, it struck both alike, and 
at the same instant, with some such force as any new and 
brilliant proposition in the natur.al sciences would strike 
the scholar. Chingachgook alone saw fit to answer. 

“The pale-faces know everythihg,” he said; “can they 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


421 


tell US why the sun hides his face, when he goes back, at 
night ? ” 

“Ay, that is downright red-skin lamin’,” returned the 
other, laughing ; though he was not altogether insensible 
to the pleasure of proving the superiority of his race, by 
solving the difficulty, which he set about doing in his own 
peculiar manner. “ Hark’ee, Sarpent,” he continued more 
gravely, though too simply for affectation ; “ this is easier- 
ly explained than an Indian brain may fancy. The sun, 
while he seems to keep travelling the heavens, never 
budges, but it is the ’arth that turns round : and any one 
can understand, if he is placed on the side of a mill-wheel, 
for instance, when it’s in motion, that he must sometimes 
see the heavens, while he is at other times under the water. 
There’s no great secret in that, but plain natur’ ; the diffi- 
culty being in setting the ’arth in motion.” 

“ How does my brother know that the earth turns round ?” 
demanded the Indian. “ Can he see it ? ” 

“ Well, that’s been a puzzler, I will own, Delaware ; for 
I’ve often tried it, but never could fairly make it out. 
Sometimes I’ve consaited that I could ; and then, ag’in. 
I’ve- been obliged to own it an onpossibility. Howsever, 
turn it does, as all my people say, and you ought to believe 
’em, since they can foretell eclipses, and other prodigies, 
that used to fill the tribes with terror, according to your 
own traditions of such things.” 

“ Good. This is true ; no red man will deny it. When 
a wheel turns, my eyes can see it — they do not see the 
earth turn.” 

“ Ay, that’s what I call sense-obstinacy ! Seeing is be- 
lieving, they say ; and what they can’t see, some men won’t 
in the least give credit to. Nevertheless, chief, that isn’t 
quite as good reason as. it may at first seem. You believe 
in the Great Spirit, I know ; and yet, I conclude, it would 
puzzle you to show where you see him !” 

“ Chingachgook can see him everywhere — everywhere 
in good things — the Evil Spirit in bad. Here, in the lake ; 
there, in the forest ; yonder, in the clouds ; in Hist, in the 
son of Uncas, in Tamenund, in Deerslayer. The Evil 
Spirit is in the Mingoes. That I know ; I do not see the 
earth turn round.” 

“ I don’t wonder they call you the Sarpent, Delaware ; 


422 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


no, I don’t ! There’s always a meaning in your words, 
and there’s often a meaning in your countenance, too ! 
Notwithstanding, your answers doesn’t quite meet my idee. 
That God is observable in all nat’ral objects is allowable ; 
but then lie is not parceptible in the way I mean. You 
know there is a Great Spirit by his works, and the pale- 
faces know that the ’arth turns round by its works. This 
is the reason of the matter, though how it is to be explained 
is more than I can exactly tell you. This I know ; all my 
people consait that fact ; and what all the pale-faces con- 
sait, is very likely to be true.” 

“ When the sun is in the top of that pine to-morrow, 
where will my brother Deerslayer be ? ” 

The hunter started, and he looked intently, though total- 
ly without alarm, at his friend. Then he signed for him 
to follow, and led the way into the ark, where he might 
pursue the subject unheard by those whose feelings he 
feared might get the mastery over their reason. Here he 
stopped, and pursued the conversation in a more confiden- 
tial tone. 

“ ’Twas a little onreasonable in you, Sarpent,” he said, 
“ to bring up such a subject afore Hist, and when the 
young woman of my own color might overhear what was 
said. Yes, ’twas a little more onreasonable than most 
things that you do. No matter ; Hist didn’t comprehend, 
and the other didn’t hear. However, the question is easier 
put than answered. No mortal can say where he will be 
w'hen the sun rises to-morrow. I will ask you the same 
question, Sarpent, and should like to hear what answer 
you can give.” 

“ Chingachgook will be with his friend, Deerslayer ; if 
he be in the land of spirits, the Great Serpent will crawl 
at his side, if beneath yonder sun, its warmth and light 
shall fall on both.” 

“ I understand you, Delaware,” returned the other, 
touched with the simple self-devotion of his friend. “ Such 
language is as plain in one tongue as in another ; it comes 
from the heart, and goes to the heart, too. ’Tis well to 
think so, and it may be well to say so, for that matter, but 
it would not be well to do so, Sarpent. You are no longer 
alone in life ; for, though you have the lodges to change, 
and otlier ceremonies to go through, afore Hist becomes 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


423 


your lawful wife, yet you are as good as married, in all 
that bears on the feelin’s, and joy, and misery. No, no ; 
Hist must not be desarted, because a cloud is passing 
atween you and me, a little onexpectedly, a little darker 
than we may have looked for.” 

“ Hist is a daughter of the Mohicans ; she knows how 
to obey her husband. Where he goes she will follow. 
Both will be with the Great Hunter of the Delawares when 
the sun shall be in the pine to-morrow.” 

“The Lord bless and protect you ! Chief, this is down- 
right madness. Can either or both of you alter a Mingo 
natur ? Will your grand looks, or Hist’s tears and beauty, 
change a wolf into a squirrel, or make a catamount as in- 
nocent as a fa’an ? No, Sarpent, you will think better of 
this matter, and leave me in the hands of God. A’ter all, 
it’s by no means sartain that the scamps design the torments, 
for they may yet be pitiful, and bethink them of the wick- 
edness of such a course; though it is but a hopeless 
expectation to look forward to a Mingo’s turning aside 
from evil, and letting mercy get uppermost in his heart. 
Nevertheless, no one knows to a sartainty what will hap- 
pen ; and young creator’s, like Hist, ar’nt to be risked on un- 
sartainties. This marrying is altogether a different under- 
taking from what some young men fancy. Now, if you 
was single, or as good as single, Delaware, I should expect 
you to be active and stirring about the camp of the vaga- 
bonds, from sunrise to sunset, sarcumventing and contriv- 
ing as restless as a hound 'off the scent, and doing all man- 
ner of things to help me, and to distract the inimy ; but 
two are often feebler than one, and we must take things as 
they are, and not as we want ’em to be.” 

“Listen, Deerslayer,” returned the Indian, with an em- 
phasis so decided as to show how much he was in earnest. 
“ If Chingachgook was in the hands of the Hurons, what 
would my pale-face brother do ? Sneak off to the Dela- 
ware villages, and say to the chiefs, and old men, and young 
warriors, ‘ See ; here is Wah-ta !-Wah ; she is safe, but a 
little tired ; and here is the Son of Uncas, not as tired as the 
Honeysuckle, being stronger, but just as safe.’ Would he 
do this ?” 

“Well, that’s oncommon ingen’ous ; it’s cunning enough 
for a Mingo himself. The Lord only knows what put it 


424 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


into your head to ask such a question. What would I do ? 
Why, in the first place, Hist wouldn’t be likely to be in my 
company at all, for she would stay as near you as possible, 
and therefore all that part about her couldn’t be said with- 
out talking nonsense. As for her being tired, that would 
fall through too, if she didn’t go, and no part of your 
speech would be likely to come from me ; so you see, Sar- 
pent, reason is ag’in you, and you may as well give it up, 
since to hold out ag’in reason is no way becoming a chief 
of your character and repitation.” 

“ My brother is not himself ; he forgets that he is talking 
to one who has sat at the council-fires of his nation,” re- 
turned the other, kindly. “ When men speak, they should 
say that which does not go in at one side of the head, and 
out at the other. Their words shouldn’t be feathers, so 
light that a wind, which does not ruffle the water, can blow 
them away. He has not answered my question ; when a 
chief puts a question, his friend should not talk of other 
things.” 

“1 understand you, Delaware ; I understand well enough 
what you mean, and truth won’t allow me to say otherwise. 
Still, it’s not as easy to answer as you seem to think, for 
this plain reason ; You wish me to say what I would do 
if I had a betrothed, as you have, here, on the lake, and a 
fri’nd yonder, in the Huron camp, in danger of the tor- 
ments. That’s it, isn’t it ? ” 

The Indian bowed his head silently, and always with 
unmoved gravity, though his eye twinkled at the sight of 
the other’s embarrassment. 

“Well, I never had a betrothed; never had the kind of 
feelin’s toward any young woman that you have toward 
Hist ; though the Lord knows my feelin’s kind enough 
toward ’em all ! Still, my heart, as they call it, in such 
matters isn’t touched, and therefore I can’t say what I 
would do. A fri’nd pulls strong ; that I know by expe- 
r’ence, Sarpent ; but, by all that I’ve seen and heard con- 
sarning love. I’m led to think that a betrothed - pulls 
stronger.” 

“ True ; but the betrothed of Chingachgook does not 
pull toward the lodges of the Delawares ; she pulls toward 
the camp of the Hurons.” 

' “ She’s a noble gal, for all her little feet and hands that 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


425 


an’t bigger than a child’s and a voice that’s as pleasant as 
a mocker’s ; she’s a noble gal, and like the stock of her 
sires ! Well, what is it, Sarpent ? for I conclude she 
hasn’t changed her mind and means to give herself up, 
and turn Huron wife. What is it you want?” 

“ Wah-tal-Wah will never live in the wigwam of an Iro- 
quois,” answered the Delaware, dryly. “ She has little 
feet, but they carry her to the villages of her people ; she 
has small hands, too, but her mind is large. My brother 
will see what we can do, when the time shall come, rather 
than let him die under Mingo torments.” 

“Attempt nothing heedlessly, Delaware,” said the other, 
earnestly ; “ I suppose you must and will have your way ; 
and, on the whole, it’s right you should ; for you’d neither 
be happy unless something was undertaken. But attempt 
nothing heedlessly. I didn’t expect you’d quit the lake 
while my matter remained in unsartainty ; but remember, 
Sarpent, that no torments that Mingo ingenuity can in- 
vent, no ta’n tings and revilings, no burnings and roastings 
and nail-tearings, nor any other onhuman contrivance, can 
so soon break down my spirit, as to find that you and Hist 
have fallen into the power of the inemy, in striving to do 
something for my good.” 

“ The Delawares are prudent. The Deerslayer will not 
find them running into a strange camp with their eyes 
shut.” 

Here the dialogue terminated. Hetty announced that 
the breakfast was ready, and the wdiole party were soon 
seated around the simple board, in the usual primitive 
manner of borderers. Judith was the last to take her seat, 
pale, silent, and betraying in her countenance that she 
had passed a painful if not a sleepless night. At this 
meal scarce a syllable was exchanged, all the females 
manifesting want of appetite, though the two men were 
unchanged in this particular. It was early when the 
party arose, and there still remained several hours before- 
it would be necessary for the prisoner to leave his friends. 
The knowledge of this circumstance, and the interest all 
felt in his welfare, induced the whole to assemble on the 
platform again, in the desire to be near the expected vic- 
tim, to listen to his discourse, and, if possible, to show 
their interest in him by anticipating his wishes. Deer- 


426 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


slayer himself, so far as human eyes could penetrate, was 
wholly unmoved, conversing cheerfully and naturally, 
though he avoided any direct allusion to the expected and 
great event of the day. If any evidence could be discov- 
ered of his thoughts reverting to that painful subject at 
all, it was in the manner which he spoke of death and the 
last great change. 

“Grieve not, Hetty,” he said — for it was while consol- 
ing this simple-minded girl for the loss of her parents that 
he thus betrayed his feelings — “ since God has app’inted 
that all must die. Your parents, or them you fancied your 
parents, which is the same thing, have gone afore you ; 
this is only in the order of natur’, my good gal, for the 
aged go first and the young follow. But one that had a 
mother like your’n, Hetty, can be at no loss to hope the 
best, as to how matters will turn out in another world. 
The Delaware here and Hist believe in happy hunting- 
grounds, and have idees befitting their notions and gifts 
as red-skins ; but we, who are of white blood, hold alto- 
gether to a different doctrine. Still, I rather conclude 
our heaven is their land of spirits, and that the path 
which leads to it will be travelled by all colors alike. ’Tis 
onpossible for the wicked to enter on it, I will allow ; but 
fri’nds can scarce be separated, though they are not of 
the same race on ’arth. Keep up your spirits, poor Hetty, 
and look forward to the day when you will meet your 
mother ag'in, and that without pain or sorrowing.” 

“ I do expect to see mother,” returned the truth-telling 
and simple girl, “ but what will become of father ? ” 

“That’s a nonplusser, Delaware,” said the hunter in 
the Indian dialect — “yes, that is a downright nonplusser! 
The Muskrat was not a saint on ’arth, and it’s fair to guess 
he’ll not be much of one hereafter! Howsever, Hetty” — 
dropping into the English by an easy transition — “how- 
sever, Hetty, we must all hope for the best. This is 
wisest, and it is much the easiest to the mind, if one can 
only do it. I ricommend to you trusting to God, and put- 
ting down all misgivings and faint-hearted feelin’s. It’s 
wonderful, Judith, how different people have different no- 
tions about the futur’, some fancying one change and 
some fancying another. I’ve known white teachers that 
have thought all was spirit hereafter ; and them, ag’in, that 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


427 


believed the body will be transported to another world, 
much as the red-skins themselves imagine, and that we 
shall walk about in the flesh and know each other, and talk 
together, and be fri’nds there as we’ve been fri’nds here.” 

“ Which of these opinions is most pleasing you^ Deer- 
slayer ?” asked the girl, willing to indulge his melancholy 
mood, and far from being free from its. influence herself. 
“ Would it be disagreeable to think that you should meet 
all who are now on this platform in another world ? Or 
have you known enough of us here, to be glad to see us 
no more ? ” - 

“The last would make death a bitter portion; yes, it 
would. It’s eight good years since the Sarpent and I be- 
gan to hunt together, and the thought that we were never 
to meet ag’in would be a hard thought to me. He looks 
forward to the time when he shall chase a sort of spirit- 
deer, in company, on plains where there’s no thorns, or 
brambles, or marshes, or other hardships, to overcome ; 
whereas, I can’t fall into all these notions, seeing that they 
appear to be ag’in reason. Spirits can’t eat, nor have they 
any use for clothes ; and deer can only rightfully be chased 
to be slain, or slain, unless it be for the venison or the 
hides. Now I find it hard to suppose that blessed spirits 
can be put to chasing game without an object, tormenting 
the dumb animals just for the pleasure and agreeableness 
of their own amusements. I never yet pulled a trigger 
on buck or doe, Judith, unless when food or clothes was 
wanting.” 

“ The recollection of which, Deerslayer, must now be a 
great consolation to you.” 

“ It is the thought of such things, my fri’nds, that en- 
ables a man to keep his furlough. .It might be done witli- 
out it, I own; for the worst red-skins sometimes do their 
duty in this matter ; but it makes that which might 
otherwise be hard, easy, if not altogether to our liking. 
Nothing truly makes a bolder heart than a light con- 
science.” 

Judith turned paler than ever, but she struggled for 
self-command and succeeded in obtaining it. The conflict 
had been severe, however, and it left her so little disposed 
to speak, that Hetty pursued the subject. This was done 
in the simple manner natural to the girl. 


428 


thb: deerslayf.r. 


“ It would be cruel to kill the poor deer,” she said, “ in 
this world or any other, when you don’t want their veni- 
son or their skins. No good white man and no good red 
man would do it. But it’s wicked for a Christian to talk 
about chasing anything in heaven. Such things are not 
done before the face of God, and the missionary that 
teaches these doctrines can’t be a true missionary. He 
must be a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I suppose you know 
what a sheep is, Deerslayer ? ” 

“ That I do, gal ; and a useful creature it is to such as 
like cloths better than skins for winter garments. I un- 
derstand the natur’ of sheep, though I’ve had but little to 
do with ’em ; and the natur’ of wolves too, and can take 
the idee of a wolf in the fleece of a sheep, though I think 
it would be likely to prove a hot jacket for such a beast 
in tne warm months.” 

And sin and hypocrisy are hot jackets, as they will find 
who put them on,” returned Hetty, positively; “so the 
wolf .v'ould be no worse off than the sinner. Spirits don’t 
h' ut, nor trap, nor fish, nor do anything that vain men 
undertake, since they’ve none of the longings of this world 
to feed. Oh ! mother told me all that years ago, and I 
didn’t wish to hear it denied.” 

“Well, my good Hetty, in that case you’d better not 
broach your doctrine to Hist, when she and you are 
alone, and the young Delaware maiden is inclined to talk 
religion. It’s her fixed idee, I know, that the good war- 
riors do nothing but hunt and fish in the other world ; 
though I don’t believe that she fancies any of them are 
brought down to the trapping, which is no empl’yment 
for a brave. But of hunting and fishing, accordin’ to her 
notion, they’ve their fill, and that, too, over the most 
agreeablest hunting-grounds and among game that is 
never out of season, and which is just actjwe and instinct- 
ive enough to give a pleasure to death. So I wouldn’t 
ricornmend it to you to start Hist on that idee.” 

“ Hist can’t be so wicked as to believe any such thing,” 
returned the other, earnestly. “ No Indian hunts after he 
is dead.” 

“ No wicked Indian, I grant you ; no wicked Indian 
sartainly. He is obliged to carry the ammunition, and to 
look on without sharing in the sport, and to cook, and to 


THE DEER SLA YER. 429 

light the fires, and to do everything that isn’t manful. 
Now, mind, I don’t tell you these are my idees, but they 
are Hist’s idees, and therefore, for the sake of peace, the 
less you say to her ag’in ’em the better.” 

“And what are your ideas of the fate of an Indian in 
the other world ? ” demanded Judith, who had just found 
her voice. 

“ Ah ! gal, anything but that. I am too Christianized 
to expect anything so fanciful as hunting and fishing after 
death ; nor do I believe there is one Manitou for the red- 
skin, and another for a pale-face. You find different color 
on ’arth, as any one may see, but you don’t find different 
natur’s. Different gifts, but only one natur’J’ 

“ In what is a gift different from a nature ? Is not Na- 
ture itself a gift from God ? ” 

“ Sartain ; that’s quick-thoughted and creditable, Ju- 
dith, though the main idee is wrong. A natur’ is the 
creatur’ itself ; its wishes, wants, idees, and feelin’s as all 
are born in him. This natur’ never can be changed in the 
main, though it may undergo some increase or lessening. 
Now, gifts come of sarcumstances. Thus, if you put a 
man in a town, lie gets town gifts ; in a settlement, settle- 
ment gifts ; in a forest, gifts of the woods. A soldier has 
soldierly gifts, and a missionary preaching gifts. All 
these increase and strengthen until they get to fortify 
natur’ as it might be, and excuse a thousand acts and idees. 
Still the creatur’ is the same at the bottom ; just as a man 
who is clad in regimentals is the same as the man that is 
clad in skins. The garments make a change to the eye, 
and some change in the conduct, perhaps; but none in 
the man. Herein lies the . apology for gifts; seein’ that 
you expect different conduct from one in silks and satins 
.from one in homespun ; though the Lord, who didn’t make 
the dresses, but who made the creator’s themselves, looks 
only at his own work. This isn’t ra’al missionary doc- 
trine, but it’s as near it as a man of white color need be. 
All’s me ! little did I think to be talking of such matters 
to-day, but it’s one of our weaknesses never to know what 
will come to pass. Step into the ark with me, Judith, for 
a minute. I wish to convarse with you.” 

Judith complied with a willingness she could scarce 
conceal. Following the hunter into the cabin, she took a 


430 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


seat on a stool, while the young man brought Kildeer, the 
rifle she had given him, out of a corner, and placed him- 
self on another, with the weapon laid upon his knees. 
After turning the piece round and round and examining 
its lock and its breech with a sort of affectionate assiduity, 
he laid it down and proceeded to the subject which had 
induced him to desire the interview. 

“ I understand you, Judith, to say that you gave me this 
rifle,” he said. “ I agreed to take it because a young 
woman can have no particular use for fire-arms. The 
weapon has a great name, and it desarves it, and ought of 
right to be carried by some known and sure hand, for the 
best reputation may be lost by careless and thoughtless 
handling.” 

“ Can it be in better hands than those in which it is now, 
Deerslayer ? Thomas Hutter seldom missed with it : with 
you it must turn out to be ” 

“Sartain death !” interrupted the hunter, laughing. “ I 
once know’d a beaver-man that had a piece called by that 
very name, but ’twas all boastfulness, for Tve seen Dela- 
wares that were as true with arrows at a short range. 
Howsever, I’ll not deny my gifts — for this is a gift, Judith, 
and not natur’ — but I’ll not deny my gifts, and therefore 
allow that the rifle couldn’t well be in better hands than 
it is at present. But how long will it be likely to remain 
there ? Atween us, the truth may be said, though I 
shouldn’t like to have it known to the Sarpent and Hist ; 
but \.o you the truth may be spoken, your feelin’s will 
not be as likely to be tormented by it as thoise of them that 
have known me longer and better. How long am I like 
to own this rifle or any other ? That is a serious ques- 
tion for our thoughts to rest on, and should that happen 
which is so likely to happen, Killdeer would be without 
an owner.” 

Judith listened with apparent composure, though the 
conflict wdthin came near overpowering her. Appreciat- 
ing the singular character of her companion, howsever, she 
succeeded in appearing calm ; though, had not his atten- 
tion been drawn exclusively to the rifle, a man of his keen- 
ness of observation could scarce have failed to detect the 
agony of mind with w’hich the girl had hearkened to 
his words. Her great self-command, notwithstanding, 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


431 


enabled her to pursue the subject in a way to deceive 
him. 

“ What would you have me do with the weapon,” she 
asked, “ should that which you seem to expect take place ?” 

“ That’s just what I wanted to speak to you about, Judith 
— that’s just it. There’s Chingachgook, now, though far 
from being parfect sartainty with a rifle — for few red-skins 
ever get to be that — though far from being parfect sartain- 
ty, he is respectable, and is coming on. Nevertheless, he 
is my fri’nd ; and all the better fri’nd, perhaps, because 
there never can be any hard feelin’s atween us, touchin’ 
our gifts ; his’n bein’ red, and mine bein’ altogether white. 
Now, 1 should like to leave Killdeer to the Sarpent, should 
anything happen to keep me from doing credit and honor 
to your precious gift, Judith.” 

“ Leave it to whom you please, Deerslayer ; the rifle is 
your own, to do with as you please ; Chingachgook shall 
have it, should you never return to claim it, if that be your 
wish.” 

“Has Hetty been consulted in this matter? Property 
goes from the parent to the children, and not to one child 
in partic’lar.” 

“ If you place your right on that of the law, Deerslayer, 
I fear none of us can claim to be the 6vvner. Thomas 
Hutter was no more the father of Esther than he was the 
father of Judith. Judith and Esther, we are truly, having 
no other name.” 

“ There may be law in that, but there’s no great reason, 
gal. Accordin’ to the custom of families, the goods are 
your’n, and there’s no one here to gainsay it. If Hetty 
would only say that she is willing, my mind would be quite 
at ease in the matter. It’s true, Judith, that your sister 
has neither your beauty nor your wit ; but we should be 
the tenderest of the rights and welfare of the most weak- 
minded.” 

The girl made no answer ; but, placing herself at a win- 
dow, she summoned her sister to her side. When the ques- 
tion was put to Hetty, her simple-minded and affectionate 
nature cheerfully assented to the proposal to confer on 
Deerslayer a full right of ownership to the much-coveted 
rifle. The latter now seemed perfectly happy, for the time 
being at least ; and, after again examining and re-examin- 


432 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


ing his prize, he expressed a determination to put its merits 
to a practical test before he left the spot. No boy could 
have been more eager to exhibit the qualities of his trum- 
pet or his cross-bow than this simple forester was to prove 
those of his rifle. Returning to the platform, he first took 
the Delaware aside and informed him that this celebrated 
piece was to become his property, in the event of anything 
serious befalling himself. 

“This is a new reason why you should be wary, Sar- 
pent, and not run into any oncalculated danger,” the hunter 
added, “ for it will be a victory of itself, to a tribe, to own 
such a piece as this ! The Mingoes will turn green \vitli 
envy ; and what is more, they will not ventur* heedlessly 
near a village where it is known to be kept. So look well 
to it, Delaware, and remember that you’ve now to watch over 
a thing that has all the valie of a creatur’, without its failin’s. 
Hist may be, and should be precious to you, but Killdeer 
will have the love and veneration of the whole people.” 

“One rifle like another, Deerslayer,” returned the In- 
dian, in English, the language used by the other, a little 
hurt at his friend’s lowering his betrothed to the level of a 
gun. “All kill ; all wood and iron. Wife dear to heart ; 
rifle good to shoot.” 

“ And what is a man in the woods without something to 
shoot with ? — a miserable trapper, or a forlorn broom and 
basket maker, at the best. Such a man may hoe corn, and 
keep soul and body together, but he can never know the 
savory morsels of venison, or tell a bear’s ham from a hog’s. 
Come, my fri’nd, such another occasion may never offer 
ag’in, and I feel a strong craving for a trial with this cele- 
brated piece. You shall bring out your own rifle, and I 
will just sight Killdeer in a careless way, in order that we 
may know a few of its secret vartues.” 

As this proposition served to relieve the thoughts of the 
whole party, by giving them a new direction, while it was 
likely to produce no unpleasant result, ev^ery one was will- 
ing to enter into it ; the girls bringing forth the fire-arms 
with an alacrity bordering on cheerfulness. Hutter’s arm- 
ory was well supplied, possessing several rifles, all of which 
were habitually kept loaded, in readiness to meet any sud- 
den demand for their use. On the present occasion, it only 
remained to freshen the primings, and each piece was in a 


THE DERRSLAYRR. 


433 


state for service. This was soon done, as all assisted in it, 
the females being as expert in this part of the system of 
defence as their male companions. 

“ Now, Sarpent, we’ll begin in an humble way, using old 
Tom’s commoners first, and coming to your we’pon and 
Killdeer as the winding up observations,” said Deerslayer, 
delighted to be again, weapon in hand, ready to display his 
skill. “ Here’s birds in abundance, some in, and some over 
the lake, and they keep at just a good range, hovering 
round the hut. Speak your mind, Delaware, and p’int out 
the creatur’ you wish to alarm. Here’s a diver, nearest in, 
off to the eastward, and that’s a creatur’ that buries itself 
at the flash, and will be like enough to try both piece and 
powder.” 

Chingachgook was a man of few words. No sooner was 
the bird pointed out to him than he took his aim and fired. 
The duck dived at the flash, as had been expected, and the 
bullet skipped harmlessly along the surface of the lake, 
first striking the water within a few inches of the spot 
where the bird had so lately swum. Deerslayer laughed 
cordially and naturally ; but, at the same time, he threw 
himself into an attitude of preparation and stood keenly 
watching the sheet of placid water. Presently a dark 
spot appeared, and then the duck arose to breathe, and 
shook its wings. While in this act, a bullet passed directly 
through its breast, actually fuming it over lifeless on its 
back. At the next moment Deerslayer stood with the 
breech of his rifle on the platform, as tranquil as if nothing 
had happened, though laughing in his own peculiar man- 
ner. • 

“ There’s no great trial of the pieces in that !” he said, 
as if anxious to prevent a false impression of his own merit. 
“ No, that proofs neither for nor ag’in the rifles, seeing it 
was all quickness of hand and eye. I took the bird at a 
disadvantage, or he might have got under again afore the 
bullet reached him. But the Sarpent is too wise to mind 
such tricks, having been long used to them. Do you re- 
member the time, chief, when you thought yourself sartain 
of tlie wild-goose, and I took him out of your very eyes, as 
it might be Avith a little smoke ? Howsever, such things 
pass for nothing atvveen fri’nds, and young folks will have 
their fun, Judith. Ay, here’s just the bird we want, for 
28 


434 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


it’s as good for the fire as it is for the aim, and nothing 
should be lost that can be turned to just account. There, 
farther north, Delaware.” 

The latter looked in the required direction, and he soon 
saw a large black duck, floating in stately repose on the 
water. At that distant day, when so few men were present 
to derange the harmony of the wilderness, all the smaller 
lakes, with which the interior of New York so abounds, 
were places of resort for the migratory aquatic birds ; and 
this sheet like the others, had once been much frequented 
by all the varieties of the duck, by the goose, the gull^ 
and the loon. On the appearance of Butter, the spot was 
comparatively deserted for other sheets more retired and 
remote, though some of each species continued to resort 
thither, as indeed they do to the present hour. At that in- 
stant a hundred birds were visible from the castle, sleeping 
on the water, or laving their feathers in the limpid element, 
though no other offered so favorable a mark as that Deer- 
slayer had just pointed out to his friend. Chingachgook, 
as usual, spared his words, and proceeded to execution. 
This time his aim was more careful than before, and his 
success in proportion. The bird had a wing crippled, and 
fluttered along the water screaming, materially increasing 
its distance from its enemies. 

“That bird must be put Qut of pain,” exclaimed Deer- 
slayer, the moment the animal endeavored to rise on the 
wing ; “and this is the rifle and the eye to do it.” 

The duck was still floundering along when the fatal 
bullet overtook it, severing the head from the neck as 
neatly as if it had been done with an axe. Hist had in- 
dulged in a low cry of delight at the success of the young 
Indian ; but now she affected to frown and resent the 
greater skill of his friend. The chief, on the contrary, 
uttered the usual exclamation of pleasure, and his smile 
proved how much he admired, and how little he envied. 

“Never mind the gal, Sarpent ; never mind Hist’s feel- 
in’s, which will neither choke nor drown, slay nor beau- 
tify,” said Deerslayer, laughing. “ ’Tis nat’ral for women 
to enter into their husband’s victories and defeats, and you 
are as good as man and wife, so far as prejudice and fri’nd- 
ship go. Here is a bird overhead that will put the pieces 
to the proof ; I challenge you to an upward aim with a 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


435 


flying target. That’s a ra’al proof and one that needs sar- 
tain rifles, as well as sartain eyes.” 

The species of eagle that frequents the water, and lives 
on fish, was also present, and one was hovering at a con- 
siderable height above the hut, greedily watching for an 
opportunity to make a swoop ; its hungry young elevat- 
ing their heads from a nest that was in sight, in the naked 
summit of a dead pine. Chingachgook silently turned 
a new piece against the bird, and, after carefully watching 
his time, fired. A wider circuit than common denoted 
that the messenger had passed through the air at no great 
distance from the bird, though it missed its object. Deer- 
slayer, whose aim was not more true than it was quick, fired 
as soon as it was certain his friend had missed, and the 
deep swoop that followed left it momentarily doubtful 
whether the eagle was hit or not. The marksman him- 
self, however, proclaimed his own want of success, calling 
on his friend to seize another rifle, for he saw signs on the 
part of the bird of an intention to quit the spot. 

“ I made him wink, Sarpent ; I do think his feathers 
were ruffled, but no blood has yet been drawn, nor is that 
old piece fit for so nice and quick a sight. Quick, Dela- 
ware ; you’ve now a better rifle, and, Judith, bring out 
Killdeer, for this is the occasion to try his merits, if he 
has ’em.” 

A general movement followed, each of the competitors 
got ready, and the girls stood in eager expectation of the 
result. The eagle had made a wide circuit after his low 
swoop, and, fanning his way upward, once more hovered 
nearly over the hut, at a distance even greater than before. 
Chingachgook gazed at him, and then expressed his opin- 
ion of the impossibility of striking a bird at that great 
height, and while he was so nearly perpendicular, as to 
the range. But a low murmur from Hist produced a 
sudden impulse, and he fired. The result showed how 
well he had calculated, the eagle not even varying his 
flight, sailing round and round in his airy circle, and look- 
ing down as if in contempt, at his foes. 

“ Now, Judith,” cried Deerslayer, laughing, with glisten- 
ing and delighted eye, “ we’ll see if Killdeer isn’t Killeagle 
too ! Give me room, Sarpent, and watch the reason of 
the aim, for by reason anything may be I’arned.” 


43 ^ 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


A careful sight followed, and was repeated again and 
again, the bird continuing to rise higher and higher. Then 
followed the flash and the report. The swift messenger 
sped upward, and,, at the next instant, the bird turned on 
its side, and came swooping down, now struggling with 
one wing and then with the other, sometimes whirling in 
a circuit, next fanning desperately as if conscious of its in- 
jury, until, having described several complete circles 
around the spot, it fell heavily into the end of the ark. On 
examining the body it was found that the bullet had 
pierced it about half-way between one of its wings and 
the breastbone. 


CHAPTER XXVI. 


“ Upon two stony tables spread before her. 

She leaned her bosom more than stony hard ; 

There slept the impartial judge, and strict restorer, 

Of wrong or right, with pain or with reward ; 

There hung the score of all our debts, the card 
Where good and bad, and life and death, were painted ; 

Was never heart of mortal so untainted, 

But when the roll was read, with thousand terrors fainted.” 

— Giles Fletcher. 

“We’ve done an onthoughtful thing, Sarpent — yes, 
Judith, we’ve done an onthoughtful thing in taking life 
with an object no better than vanity ! ” exclaimed Deer- 
slayer, when the Delaware held up the enormous bird by 
its wings, and exhibited the dying eyes riveted on its 
enemies, with a gaze that the helpless ever fasten on their 
destroyers. “ ’Twas more becomin’ two boys to gratify 
their feelin’s in this onthoughtful manner, than two war- 
riors on a warpath, even though it be their first. Ah’s 
me ! well, as a punishment. I’ll quit you at once, and when 
I find myself alone with them bloody-minded Mingoes, 
it’s more than like I’ll have occasion to remember that life 
is sweet, even to the beasts of the woods and the fowls of 
the air. Here, Judith ; there’s Killdeer ; take him back 
ag’in, and keep him for some hand that’s more desarving 
to own such a piece.” 


7’///; DKERSL^l YER. 


437 


“ I know of none as deserving as your own, Deerslayer,” 
answered the girl in haste ; “none but yours shall keep 
the ride.” 

“ If it depended on skill, you might be right enough, 
gal, but we should know when to use fire-arms as well as 
how to use ’em. I haven’t larn’t the first duty, yet, it seems ; 
so keep the piece till I have. The sight of a dyin’ and dis- 
tressed creatur’, even though it be only a bird, brings 
wholesome thoughts to a man who don’t know how soon 
his own time may come, and who is pretty sartain that it 
will come afore the sun sets ; I’d give back all my vain 
feelin’s and rej’icin’s in hand and eye, if that poor eagle 
was only on its nest ag’in with its young, praisin’ the Lord, 
for anything that we can know about the matter, for 
health and strength ! ” 

The listeners were confounded with this proof of sud- 
den repentance in the hunter, and that, too, for an indul- 
gence so very common that men seldom stop to weigh its 
consequences, or the physical suffering it may bring on 
the unoffending and helpless. The Delaware understood 
what he said, though he scarce understood the feeling's 
which had prompted the words, and, by way of disposing 
of the difficulty, he drew his keen knife and severed the 
head of the sufferer from its body. 

“ What a thing is power! ” continued the hunter, “and 
what a thing it is to have it, and not know how to use it ! 
It’s no wonder, Judith, that the great so often fail of their 
duties, when even the little and the humble find it so liard 
to do what’s right, and 'not to do what’s wrong. Then, 
how one evil act brings others a’ter it! Now, wasn’t 
it for this furlough of mine, which must soon take me 
back to the Mingoes, I’d find this creator’s nest if I trav- 
elled the woods a fortnight — though an eagle’s nest is soon 
found by them that understands the bird’s natur’ — but I’d 
travel a fortnight rather than not find it, just to put the 
young, too, out of their pain.” 

“I’m glad to hear you say this, Deerslayer,” observed 
Hetty, “ and God will be more apt to remember your sor- 
row for what you’ve done than the wickedness itself. I 
thought how wicked it was to kill harmless birds while 
you were shooting, and meant to tell you so ; but I don’t 
know how it happened — I was so curious to see if you 


438 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


could hit an eagle at so great a height that I forgot alto- 
gether to speak till the mischief was done.” 

“That’s it; that’s just it, my good Hetty. We can all 
see our faults and mistakes when it’s too late to help them ! 
Howsever, I’m glad you didn’t speak, for I don’t think a 
word or two would have stopped me just at that moment ; 
and so the sin stands in its nakedness, and not aggravated 
by any unheeded calls to forbear. Well, well, bitter 
thoughts are hard to be borne at all times, but there’s times 
when they're harder than at others.” 

Little did Deerslayer know, while thus indulging in feel- 
ings that were natural to the man, and so strictly in accord- 
ance with his own unsophisticated and just principles, 
that, in the course of the inscrutable Providence which so 
uniformly and yet so mysteriously covers all events with 
its mantle, the very fault he was disposed so severely to 
censure was to be made the means of determining his own 
earthly fate. The mode and the moment in which he was 
to feel the influence of this interference it would be prema- 
ture to relate, but both will appear in the course of the 
succeeding chapters. As for the young man, he now slow- 
ly left the ark, like one sorrowing for his misdeeds, and 
seated himself in silence on the platform. By this time 
the sun had ascended to some height, and its appearance, 
taken in connection with his present feelings, induced him 
to prepare to depart. The Delaware got the canoe ready 
for his friend as soon as apprised of his intention, while 
Hist busied herself in making the few arrangements that 
were thought necessary to his comfort. All this was 
done without ostentation, but in a way that left Deerslayer 
fully acquainted with, and equally disposed to appreciate 
the motive. When all was ready, both returned to the side 
of Judith and Hetty, neither of whom had moved from the 
spot where the young hunter sat. 

“The best fri’nds must often part,” the latter began, 
Avhen he saw the whole party grouped around him. “ Yes, 
fri’ndship can’t alter the ways of Providence ; and let our 
feelin’s be as they may, we must part. I’ve often thought 
there’s moments when our words dwell longer on the mind 
than common, and when advice is remembered, just be- 
cause the mouth that gives it isn’t likely to give it ag’in. 
No one knows what will happen in the world, and there- 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


439 


fore it may be well, when fri’nds separate under a likeli- 
hood that the parting may be long, to say a few words in 
kindness, as a sort of keepsakes. If all but one will go into 
the ark. I’ll talk to each in turn ; and, what is more. I’ll 
listen to what you may have to say back ag’in, for it’s a 
poor counsellor that won’t take as well as give.” 

As the meaning of the speaker was understood, the two 
Indians immediately withdrew as desired, leaving the sis- 
ters, however, still standing at the young man’s side. A 
look of Deerslayer’s induced Judith to explain. 

“ You can advise Hetty as you land,” she said hastily, “ I 
intend that she shall accompany you to the shore.” 

“ Is this wise, Judith ? It’s true that, under common 
sarcumstances, a feeble mind is a great protection among 
red-skins ; but when their feelin’s are up, and they’re bent 
on revenge, it’s hard to say what may come to pass. Be- 
sides ” 

“What were you about to say, Deerslayer?” asked 
Judith, whose gentleness of voice and manner amounted 
nearly to tenderness, though she struggled hard to keep 
her emotions and apprehensions in subjection. 

“ Why, simply that there are sights and doin’s that one 
even as little gifted with reason and memory as Hetty, 
here, might better not witness. So, Judith, you would do 
well to let me land alone, and to keep your sister back.” 

“ Never fear for me, Deerslayer,” put in Hetty, who 
comprehended enough of the discourse to know its general 
drift ; “ I’m feeble-minded, and that, they say, is an ex- 
cuse for going anywhere, and what that won’t excuse will 
be overlooked on account of the Bible I always carry. It 
is wonderful, Judith, how all sorts of men, the trappers 
as well as the hunters, the red men as well as white, Min- 
goes as well as Delawares, do reverence and fear the 
Bible ! ” 

“ I think you have not the least ground to fear any in- 
jury, Hetty,” answered the sister, “and therefore I shall 
insist on your going to the Huron camp with our friend. 
Your being there can do no harm, not even to yourself, 
and you may do great good to Deerslayer.” 

“ This is not a moment, Judith, to dispute ; and so have 
the matter your^ own way,” returned the young man. 
“Get yourself ready, Hetty, and go into the canoe, for I’ve 


440 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


a few parting words to say to your sister which can do 
you no good.” 

Judith and her companions continued silent until Hetty 
had so far complied as to leave them alone, when Deer- 
slayer took up the subject as if it had been interrupted by 
some ordinary occurrence, and in a very matter-of-fact way. 

“ Words spoken at parting, and which may be the last 
we ever hear from a fri’nd, are not soon forgotten,” he 
repeated, “and so, Judith, I intended to speak to you like 
a brother, seein’ I’m not old enough to be your father. 
In the first place, I wish to caution you ag’n your inimies, 
of which two may be said to ha’nt your very footsteps, 
and to beset your way. The first isoncommon good looks, 
which is as dangerous a foe to some young women as a 
whole tribe of Mingoes could prove, and which calls for 
great watchfulness ; not to admire and praise, but to dis- 
trust and sarcumvent. Yes, good looks may be sarcu in- 
vented, and fairly outwitted, too. In order to do this, 
you’ve only to remember that they melt like the snows ; 
and, when once gone, they never come back ag’in. The 
seasons come and go, Judith ; and if we have winter, with 
storms and frost, and spring, with chills and leafless trees, 
we have summer, with its sun and glorious skies, and fall, 
with its fruits, and a garment thrown over the forest that 
no beauty of the town could rummage out of all the shops 
in America. ’Arth is an eternal round, the goodness of 
God bringing back the pleasant when we’ve had enough of 
the unpleasant. But it’s not so with good looks. They 
are lent for a short time in youth, to be used and not 
abused ; and as I never met with a young woman to whom 
Providence has been as bountiful as it has to you, Judith, 
in this partic’lar, I warn you, as it might be with my dyin’ 
breath, to beware of the inimy ; fri’nd or inimy, as we deal 
with the gift.” 

It was so grateful to Judith to hear these unequivocal 
admissions of her personal charms that much would have 
been forgiven to the man who made them, let him be who 
he might. But, at that moment, and from a far better 
feeling, it would not have been easy for Deerslayer seri- 
ously to offend her ; and she listened with a patience 
which, had it been foretold only a week earlier, it would 
have excited her indignation to hear. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


441 


“ I understand your meaning, Deerslayer,” returned the 
girl, with a meekness and humility that a little surprised 
her listener, “and hope to be able to profit by it. But you 
have mentioned only one of the enemies I have to fear ; 
who, or what is the other ? ” 

“ The other is givin’ way afore your own good sense 
and judgment, I find, Judith ; yes, he’s not as dangerous as 
I supposed. Howsever, havin’ opened the subject, it will 
be as well to end it honestly. The first inimy you have 
to be watchful of, as I’ve already told you, Judith, is on- 
common good looks, and the next is an uncommon knowl- 
edge of the sarcumstance. If the first is bad, the last 
doesn’t in any way mend the matter, so far as safety and 
peace of mind are consarned.” 

How much longer the young man would have gone on 
in his simple and unsuspecting but well-intentioned man- 
ner, it might not be easy to say, had he not been inter- 
rupted by his listener’s bursting into tears, and giving way 
to an outbreak of feeling, which was so much the more 
violent from the fact that it had been with so much diffi- 
culty suppressed. At first her sobs were so violent and 
uncontrollable that Deerslayer was a little appalled, and he 
was abundantly repentant from the instant that he discov- 
ered how much greater was the effect produced by his 
words than he had anticipated. Even the austere and 
exacting are usually appeased by the signs of contrition, 
but the nature of Deerslayer did not require proofs of in- 
tense feelings so strong in order to bring him down to a 
level with the regrets felt by the girl herself. He arose as 
if an adder had stung him, and the accents of the mother 
that soothes her child were scarcely more gentle and win- 
ning than the tones of his voice, as he now expressed his 
contrition at having gone so far. 

“ It was well meant, Judith,” he said, “but it was not 
intended to hurt your feelin’s so much. I have overdone 
the advice, I see ; yes. I’ve overdone it, and I crave 
your pardon for the same. Fri’ndship’s an awful thing ! 
Sometimes it chides us for not having done enough ; and 
then ag’in it speaks in strong words for havin’ done too 
much. Howsever, I acknowledge I’ve overdone the mat- 
ter, and, as I’ve a ra’al and strong regard for you, I rejoice 
to say it, inasmuch as it proves how much better you 


442 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


are than my own vanity and consaits had made you out 
to be." 

Judith now removed her hands from her face ; her 
tears had ceased, and she unveiled a countenance so win- 
ning, with the smile which rendered it even radiant, that 
the young man gazed at her, for a moment, with speechless 
delight. 

“ Say no more, Deerslayer ! " she hastily interposed, 
“it pains me to hear you find fault with yourself. I know 
my own weakness all the better^ now I see that you have 
discovered it ; the lesson, bitter as I have found it for a 
moment, shall not be forgotten. We will not talk any 
longer of these things, for I do not feel myself brave 
enough for the undertaking, and I should not like the Dela- 
wares, or Hist, or even Hetty, to notice my weakness. 
Farewell, Deerslayer ; may God bless and protect you as 
your honest heart deserves blessing and protection, and as 
I must think He will ! " 

Judith had so far regained the superiority that properly 
belonged to her better education, high spirit, and sur- 
passing personal advantages, as to preserve the ascendency 
she had thus accidentally obtained, and effectually pre- 
vented any return to the subject that was as singularly in- 
terrupted as it had been singularly introduced. The 
young man permitted her to have everything her own 
way, and when she pressed his hard hand in both her own, 
he made no resistance, but submitted to the homage as 
quietly, and with quite as matter-of-course a manner as a 
sovereign would have received a similar tribute from a 
subject, or the mistress from her suitor. Feeling had 
flushed the face and illuminated the whole countenance 
of the girl, and her beauty was never more resplendent 
than when she cast a parting glance at the youth. That 
glance was filled with anxiety, interest, and gentle pity. 
At the next instant she darted into the hut and was 
seen no more ; though she spoke to Hist from a win- 
dow, to inform her that their friend expected their appear- 
ance. 

“ You know enough of red-skin natur’and red-skin usages, 
Wah-ta !-Wah, to see the condition I am in on account 
of this furlough," commenced the hunter, in Delaware, as 
soon as the patient and submissive girl of that people had 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


443 


moved quietly to his side ; “ you will therefore the best 
onderstand how onlikely I am ever to talk with you ag’in. 
I’ve but little to say ; but that little comes from long livin’ 
among your people, and from havin’ obsarved and noted 
their usages. The life of a woman is hard at the best, but, 

I must own, though I’m not opinionated in favor of my 
own color, that it is harder among the red men than it is 
among the pale-faces. This is a p’int on which Chrisi ians 
may well boast, if boasting can be set down for Chnsiiaiiity 
in any manner or form, which I rather think it cannot. 
Howsever, all women have their trials. Red women have 
their’n in what I should call the nat’ral way, while white 
women take ’em inoculated like. Bear your burden. Hist, 
becomingly, and remember, if it be a little toilsome, how 
much lighter it is than that of most Indian women. I 
know the Sarpent well — what I call cordially — and he will 
never be a tyrant to anything he loves, though he will ex- 
pect to be treated himself like a Mohican chief. There 
will be cloudy days in your lodge, I suppose, for they hap- 
pen under all usages, and among all people ; but, by 
keepin’ the windows of the heart open, there will always 
be room for the sunshine to enter. You come of a great 
stock yourself, and so does Chingachgook. It’s not very 
likely that either will ever forget the sarcumstance, and do 
anything to disgrace your forefathers. Nevertheless, likin’ 
is a tender plant, and never thrives long when watered 
with tears. Let the ’arth around your married happiness 
be moistened by the dews of kindness.” 

“ My pale brother is very wise ; Wah will keep in her 
mind all that his wisdom tells her.” 

“ That’s judicious and womanly. Hist. Care in listening, 
and stout-heartedness in holding to good counsel, is a wife’s 
good protection. And, now, ask the Sarpent to come and 
speak with me, for a moment, and carry away with you 
all my best wishes and prayers. I shall think of you Hist, 
and of your intended husband, let what may come to pass, 
and always wish you well, here and hereafter, whether the 
last is to be according to Indian idees or Christian doc- 
trines.” 

Hist shed no tear at parting. She was sustained by the 
high resolution of one who had decided on her course ; 
but her dark eyes were luminous with the feeling that 


444 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


glowed within, and her pretty countenance beamed with 
an expression of determination that was in marked and 
singular contrast to its ordinary gentleness. It was but a 
minute ere the Delaware advanced to the side of his friend 
with the light, noiseless tread of an Indian. 

“ Come this-a-way, Sarpent, here more out of sight of 
the Vvomen,” commenced the Deerslayer, “ for Tve several 
things to say that mustn’t so much as be suspected, much 
less overheard. You know too well the natur’ of furloughs 
and Mingoes to have any doubts or misgivin’s consarnin’ 
what is likely to happen, when I get back to the camp. 
On them two p’ints, therefore, a few words will go a great 
way. In the first place, chief, I wish to say a little about 
Hist, and the manner in which you red men treat your 
wives. I suppose it’s accordin’ to the gifts of your people 
that the women should work, and the men hunt ; but 
there’s such a thing as moderation in all matters. As for 
huntin’, I see no good reason why any limits need be set 
to tliat^ but Hist comes of too good a stock to toil like a 
common drudge. One of your means and standin’ need 
never want for corn, or potatoes, or anything that the 
fields yield ; therefore, I hope the hoe will never be put 
into the hands of any wife of your’n. You know I am not 
quite a beggar, and all I own, whether in ammunition, 
skins, arms, or calicoes, I give to Hist, should I not come 
back to claim them by the end of the season. This will 
set the maiden up, and will buy labor for her, for a long 
time to come. 1 suppose I needn’t tell you to love the young 
woman, for that you do already, and whomsoever the man 
ra’ally loves, he’ll be likely enough to cherish. Neverthe- 
less, it can do no harm to say that kind words never rankle, 
while bitter words , do. I know you’re a man, Sarpent, 
that is less apt to talk in his own lodge than to speak at 
the council-fire ; but forgetful moments may overtake us 
all, and the pract)^ce of kind doin’, and kind talkin’, is a 
wonderful advantage in keepin’ peace in a cabin, as well 
as on a hunt.” 

My ears are open,” returned the Delaware, gravely ; 
“ the words of my brother have entered so far that they 
never can fall out again. They are like rings that have 
no end, and cannot drop. Let him speak on ; the song of 
the wren and the voice of a friend never tire.” 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


445 


“ I will speak a little longer, chief, but you will excuse 
it for the sake of old companionship, should I now talk 
about myself. If the worst comes to the worst, it’s not 
likely there’ll be much left of me but ashes ; so a grave 
would be useless, and a sort of vanity. On that score I’m 
no way partic’lar, though it might be well enough to take 
a look at the remains of the pile, and should any bones or 
pieces be found, ’twould be more decent to gather them 
together and bury them than to let them lie for the wolves 
to gnaw at and howl over. These matters can make no 
great difference in the end, but men of white blood and 
Christian feelin’s have rather a gift for graves.” 

“It shall be done as my brother says,” returned the In- 
dian gravely. “ If his mind is full, let him empty it in the 
bosom of a friend.” 

“Thank you, Sarpent ; my mind’s easy enough ; yes, it’s 
tolerable easy. Idees will come uppermost that I’m not 
apt to think about in common, it’s true ; but by striving 
ag’in some and lettin’ others come out, all will be right in 
the long run. There’s one thing, however, chief, that 
does seem to be ^7;^reasonable, and ag’in natur,’ though the 
missionaries say it’s true ; and bein’ of my religion and 
color, I feel bound to believe them. They say an Injin 
may torment and tortur’ the body to the heart’s content, 
and scalp, and cut, and tear, and burn, and consume all 
liis inventions and deviltries, until nothin’ is left but ashes, 
and they shall be scattered to the four winds of heaven, 
yet, when the trumpet of God shall sound, all will come 
together ag’in, and the man will stand forth in his flesh 
the same creatur’ as to looks, if not as to feelin’s, that he 
was afore he was harmed ! ” 

“ The missionaries are good men : they mean* well,” re- 
turned the Delaware, courteously; “they are no great 
medicines. They think all they say, Deerslayer ; that is 
no reason why warriors and orators should be all ears. 
When Chingachgook shall see the father of Tamenund 
standing in his scalp, and paint, and war-lock, then will he 
believe the missionaries.” 

“ Seein’ is believin’, of a sartainty — ah’s me! and some 
of us may see these things sooner than we ought. I com- 
prehend your meanin’ about Tamenund’s father, Sar- 
pent, and the idee’s a close idee. Tamenund is now an 


446 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


elderly man, say eighty, every day of it ; and his father 
was scalped, and tormented, and burnt when the present 
prophet was a youngster. Yes, if one could see that come 
to pass, there wouldn’t be much difficulty in yieldin’ faith 
to all that the missionaries say. Howsever, I’m not ag’in 
the opinion now ; for you must know, Sarpent, that the 
great principle of Chrislianity is to believe without seeing ; 
and a man should always act up to his religion and princi- 
ples, let them be what they may.” 

‘‘ That is strange for a wise nation,” said the Delaware, 
with emphasis. “ The red man looks hard, that he may 
see and understand.” 

“ Yes that’s plauserble and is agreeable to mortal pride ; 
but it’s not as deep as it seems. If we could understand 
all we see Sarpent, there might be not only sense, but 
safety, in refusin’ to give faith to any o?ie thing that we 
might find oncomprehensible ; but when there’s so many 
things about wdiich it may be said w^e know nothing at 
all, why, there’s little use and no reason in bein’ difficult 
touchin’ any one in partic’lar. For my part, Delaware, 
all my thoughts haven’t been on the game, when outlyin’ 
in the hunts and scoutin’s of our youth. Many’s the hour 
I’ve passed, pleasantly enough, too, in what is tarmed 
conterplation by my people. On such occasions the mind 
is actyve, though the body seems lazy and listless. An 
open spot on a mountain-side, where a wide look can be 
had at the heavens and the ’arth, is a most judicious place 
for a man to get a just idee of the power of the Manitou, 
and of his own littleness. At such times there isn’t any 
great disposition to find fault with little difficulties in the 
way of comprehension, as there are so many big ones to 
hide them. Believin’ comes easy enough to me, at such 
times ; and if the Lord made man first, out of ’arth, as 
they tell me it is written in the Bible, then turns him into 
dust at death, I see no great difficulty in the way to 
bringin’ him back, in the body, though ashes be the only 
substance left. These things lie beyond our understandin’, 
though they may and do lie so close to our feelin’s. But 
of all the doctrines, Sarpent, that which disturbs me, and 
disconsarts my mind the most, is the one which teaches 
us to think that a pale-face goes to one heaven and a 
red-skin to another ; it may separate in death them 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


447 


which lived much together, and loved each other well in 
life ! ” 

“ Do the missionaries teach their white brethren to think 
it is so?” demanded the Indian, with serious earnestness. 
“ The Delawares believe that good men and brave warriors 
will hunt together in the same pleasant woods, lec them 
belong to whatever tribe they may ; that all the unjust 
Indians and cowards will have to sneak in with the dogs 
and the wolves, to get venison for their lodges.” 

“ ’Tis wonderful how many consaits mankind have con- 
sarnin’ happiness and misery hereafter ! ” exclaimed the 
hunter, borne away by the power of his own thoughts. 
“Some believe in burnin’s and flames, and some think pun- 
ishment is to eat with the wolves and dogs. Then ag'in, 
some fancy heav’^en to be only the carryin’ out of their own 
’arthly longin’s ; while others fancy it all gold and shinin’ 
lights ! Well, I’ve an idee of my own in that matter, which 
is just this, Sarpent. Whenever I’ve done wrong. I’ve 
ginerally found ’twas owin’ to some blindness of the mind, 
which hid the right from view, and when sight has re- 
turned, then has come sorrow and repentance. Now, I 
consait that, after death, when the body is laid aside, or, 
if used at all, is purified and without its longin’s, the spirit 
sees all things in their ra’al light, and never becomes blind 
to truth and justice. Such bein’ the case, all that has ‘been 
done in life is beheld as plainly as the sun is seen at noon ; 
the good brings joy, while the evil brings sorrow. There’s 
nothin’ onreasonable in that, but it’s agreeable to every 
man’s experience.” 

“I thought the pale-faces believe all men were wicked ; 
who, then, could ever find the white man’s heaven ?” 

“ That’s ingen’ous, but it falls short of the missionary 
teachin’s. You’ll be Christianized one day, I make no 
doubt, and then ’twill all come plain enough. You must 
know, Sarpent, that there’s been a great deed of salvation 
done, that, by God’s help, enables all men to find a pardon 
for their wickedness, and that is the essence of the white 
man’s religion. I can’t stop to talk this matter over with 
you any longer, for Hetty’s in the canoe, and the furlough 
takes me away ; but the time will come, I hope, when you’ll 
feel these things ; for, after all, they must be felt^ rather 
than reasoned about. Ah’s me ! Well, Delaware, there’s 


448 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


} 


my hand ; you know it’s that of a fri’nd, and will shake it 
* as such, though it never has done you one-half the good its 
owner wishes it had.” 

The Indian took the offered hand, and returned its pres- 
sure warmly. Then falling back on his acquired stoicism 
of manner, which so many mistake for constitutional in- 
difference, he drew up in reserve, and prepared to part 
from his friend with dignity. Deerslayer, however, was 
more natural ; nor would he have at all cared about giving 
way to his feelings, had not the recent conduct and lan- 
guage of Judith given him some secret though ill-defined 
apprehensions of a scene. He was too humble to imagine 
the* truth concerning the actual feelings of that beautiful 
girl, while he was too observant not to have noted the 
struggle she had maintained with herself, and which had 
so often led her to the very verge of discovery. That 
something extraordinary was concealed in her breast he 
thought obvious enough ; and, through a sentiment of 
manly delicacy that would have done credit to the highest 
human refinement, he shrank from any exposure of her 
secret that might subsequently cause regret to the girl 
herself. He, therefore, determined to depart, now, and 
that without any further manifestations of feelings either 
from -himself or from others. 

“ God bless you, Sarpent — God bless you ! ” cried the 
hunter, as the canoe left the side of the platform. “ Your 
Manitou and my God only know when and where we shall 
meet ag’in ; I shall count it a great blessing, and a full re- 
ward for any little good I may have done on ’arth, if we 
shall be permitted to know each other, and to consort to- 
gether hereafter as we have so long done in these pleasant 
woods afore us ! ” 

Chingachgook waved his hand. Drawing the light 
blanket he wore over his head, as a Roman would conceal 
his grief in his robes, he slowly withdrew into the ark, in 
order to indulge his sorrow and his musings alone. Deer- 
slayer did not speak again, until the canoe was half-way to 
the shore. Then he suddenly ceased paddling, at an in- 
terruption that came from the mild, musical voice of Hetty. 

‘‘Why do go back to the Hurons, Deerslayer ? ” de- 
manded the girl. “ They say / am feeble-minded, and 
such they never harm ; but you have as much sense as 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


449 


Hurry Harry ; and more too, Judith thinks, though 1 don't 
see how that can well be.” 

“ Ah ! Hetty, afore we land, I must converse a little 
with you, child ; and that, too, on matters touching your 
own welfare, principally. Stop paddling — or, rather, that 
the Mingoes needn’t think we are plotting and contriving, 
and so treat us accordingly, just dip your paddle lightly, 
and give the canoe a little motion and no more. That’s 
just the idee and the movement ; I see you’re ready enough 
at an appearance, and might be made useful at a sarcum- 
vention, if it was lawful now to use one — that’s just the 
idee and the movement ! Ah’s me ! Desait and a false 
tongue are evil things, and altogether onbecoming our 
color, Hetty ; but it is a pleasure and a satisfaction to outdo 
the contrivances of a red-skin, in the strife of lawful war- 
fare. My path has been short, and is like soon to have an 
ind ; but I can see that the wanderings of a warrior ar’n’t 
altogether among brambles and difficulties. There’s a 
bright side to a war-path, as well as to most other things, 
if we’ll only have the wisdom to see it, and the ginerosity 
to own it.” 

“ And why should your war-path, as you call it, come so 
near to an end, Deerslayer ? ” 

“ Because, my good girl, my furlough comes so near to 
an ind. They’re likely to have pretty much the same tar- 
mination, as regards time — one following on the heels of 
the other, as a matter of course.” 

“ I don’t understand your meaning, Deerslayer,” returned 
the girl, looking a little bewildered. “ Mother always said 
people ought to speak more plainly to me than to most 
other persons, because I’m feeble-minded. Those that are 
feeble-minded don’t understand as easily as those that have 
sense.” 

“ Well, then, Hetty, the simple truth is this : You know 
that I’m now a captyve to the Hurons, and captyves can’t 
do, in all things, as they please ” 

“ But how can you be a captive,” eagerly interrupted 
the girl, “ when you are out here on the lake, in father’s 
bark canoe, and the Indians are in the woods, with no 
canoe at ail ? That can’t be true, Deerslayer ! ” 

I wish with all my heart and soul, Hetty, that you was 
right, and that I was wrong, instead of your bein’ all 
29 


450 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


wrong, and my bein’ only too near the truth. Free as I 
seem to your eyes, gal. I’m bound hand and foot, in ra’ality.” 

“ Well, it is a great misfortune not to have sense ! Now, 
I can’t see, or understand, that you are a captive, or bound 
in any manner. If you are bound, with what are your 
hands and feet fastened?” 

“ With a furlough, gal ; that’s a thong that binds tighter 
than any chain. One may be broken, but the other can’t. 
Ropes and chains allow of knives, and desait, and contriv- 
ances ; but a furlough can be neither cut, slipped, nor sar- 
cumvented.” 

“ What sort of a thing is a furlough, then, if it be 
stronger than hemp or iron ! I never saw a furlough.” 

“ I hope you may never feel one, gal ; the tie is alto- 
gether in the feelin’s, in these matters, and therefore is to 
be felt, and not seen. You can understand what it is to 
give a promise, I dare to say, good little Hetty ?” 

“ Certainly. A promise is to say you will do a thing, and 
that binds you to be as good as your word. Mother al- 
ways kept her promises to me, and then she said it would 
be wicked if I didn’t keep my promise to her, and to 
everybody else.” 

‘‘You have had a good mother in some matters, child, 
whatever she may have been in other some. ’That is a 
promise, and, as you say, it must be kept. Now, I fell 
into the hands of the Mingoes last night, and they let me 
come off to see my frinds and send messages into my own 
color, if any such feel consarn on my account, on condi- 
tion that I shall be back, when the sun is up to-day, and 
take whatever their revenge and hatred can contrive, in 
the way of torments, in satisfaction for the life of a warrior 
that fell by my rifle, as well as for that of the young woman 
shot by Hurry, and other disapp’intments met with on and 
about this lake. What is called a promise atween a mother 
and darter, or even atween strangers, in the settlements, 
is called a furlough, when given by one soldier to another, 
on a war-path. And now I suppose you understand my 
situation, Hetty?” 

The girl made no answer for some time, but she ceased 
paddling altogether, as if the novel idea distracted her 
mind too much to admit of other employment. Then she 
resumed the dialogue earnestly and with solicitude. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


451 

“ Do you think the Hurons will have the heart to do 
what you say, Detirslayer ? she asked. “ I have found 
them kind and harmless.” 

“That’s true enough as consarns one like you, Hetty, 
but it’s a very different affair when it comes to an open 
inimy, and he too the owner of a pretty sartain rifle. I 
don’t say that they bear me special malice on account of 
any expl’ites already performed, for that would be bragging, 
as it might be, on the varge of the grave ; but it’s no van- 
ity to believe that they know one of their bravest and cun- 
nin’est chiefs fell by my hands. Such bein’ the case, 
the tribe would reproach tliem if they failed to send 
the spirit of a pale-face to keep the company of the spirit 
of their red brother ; always supposin’ that he can catch 
it. I look for no mercy, Hetty, at their hands ; and my 
principal sorrow is that such a calamity should befall me 
on my first war-path ; that it would come sooner or later 
every soldier counts on and expects.” 

“The Hurons shall not harm you, Deerslayer,” cried the 
girl, much excited. “ ’Tis wicked as well as cruel ; I have 
the Bible here to tell them so. Do you think I would 
stand by and see you tormented ?” 

“ I hope not, my good Hetty, I hope not ; and, there- 
fore, when the moment comes, I expect you will move off 
and not be a witness of what you can’t help, while it 
would grieve you. But I haven’t stopped the paddles to 
talk of my own afflictions and difficulties, but to speak 
a little plainly to you, gal, consarnin’ your own mat- 
ters.” 

“ What can you have to say to me, Deerslayer ? Since 
mother died, few talk to me of such things.” 

“ So much the worse, poor gal ; yes, ’tis so much the 
worse, for one of your state of mind needs frequent talking 
to in order to escape the snares and desaits of this wickecl 
world. You haven’t forgotten Hurry Harry, gal, so soon, 
I calculate ? ” 

“ I ! — I forget Henry March ! ’’exclaimed Hetty, starting: 
“Why should I forget him, Deerslayer, when he is our 
friend, and only left us last night ? Then, the large bright 
star that mother loved so much to gaze at was just over 
the top of yonder tall pine on the mountain, as Hurry got 
into the canoe ; and when you landed him on the point. 


452 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


near the east bay, it wasn’t more than the length of Judith’s 
handsomest ribbon above it.” , 

“ And how can you know how long I was gone, or how 
far I went to land Hurry, seein’ you were not with us, and 
the distance was so great, to say nothing of the night ? ” 

“ Oh ! I knew when it was well enough,” returned Hetty, 
positively. “There’s more ways than one for counting 
time and distance. When the mind is engaged, it is better 
than any clock. Mine is feeble, I know, but it goes true 
enough in all that touches poor Hurry Harry. Judith will 
never marry March, Deerslayer.” 

“That’s the p’int, Hetty ; that’s the very p’int I want to 
come to. I suppose you know that it’s nat'ral for young 
people to have kind feelin’s for one another, more especi- 
ally when one happens to be a youth and t’other a maiden. 
Now one of your years and mind, gal, that has neither 
father nor mother, and who lives in a wilderness fre- 
quented by hunters and trappers, needs to be on her 
guard against evil she little dreams of.” 

“What harm can it be to think well of a fellow-creat- 
ure f” returned Hetty, simply, though the conscious blood 
was stealing to her cheeks in spite of a spirit so pure that 
it scarce knew why it prompted the blush; “the Bible 
tells us to love them who despitefully use us, and why 
shouldn’t we like them who do not ? ” 

“Ah ! Hetty, the love of the missionaries isn’t the sort 
of likin’ I mean. Answer me one thing, child ; do you 
believe yourself to have mind enough to become a wife 
and a mother ?” 

“That’s not a proper question to ask a young woman, 
Deerslayer, and I’ll not answer it,” returned the girl, in a 
reproving manner — much as a parent rebukes a child for 
an act of indiscretion. “If you have anything to say 
gbout Hurry, I’ll hear that — but you must not speak evil 
of him ; he is absent, and ’tis unkind to talk evil of the 
absent.” 

“Your mother has given you so many good lessons, 
Hetty, that my fears for you are not as great as they were. 
Nevertheless, a young woman without parents, in your 
state of mind, and who is not without beauty, must always 
be in danger in such a lawless region as this. I would say 
nothin’ amiss of Hurry, who, in the main, is not a bad 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


4S3 


man for one of his callin', but you ought to know one 
thing, which it may not be altogether pleasant to tell you, 
but which must be said. March has a desperate likin’ for 
your sister Judith.” 

“Well, what of that ? Everybody admires Judith, she’s 
so handsome, and Hurry has told me, again'and again, 
how much he wishes to marry her. But that will never 
come to pass, for Judith don’t like Hurry. She likes an- 
other, and talks about him in her sleep ; though you need 
not ask me who he is, for all the gold in King George’s 
crown, and all the jew-els too, wouldn’t tempt me to tell 
you his name. If sisters can’t keep each other’s secrets, 
who can ? ” 

“ Sartainly ; I do not wish you to tell me, Hetty, nor 
would it be any advantage to a dyin’ man to know. What 
the tongue says when the mind’s asleep neither head nor 
heart is answerable for.” 

“ I wish I knew why Judith talks so much in her sleep 
about officers, and honest hearts, and false tongues ; but I 
suppose she don’t like to tell me, as I’m feeble-minded. 
Isn’t it odd, Deerslayer, that Judith don’t like Hurry — he, 
who is the bravest-looking youth that ever comes upon the 
lake, and is as handsome as she is herself ? Father always 
said they w^ould be the comeliest couple in the country, 
though mother didn’t fancy March any more than Judith. 
There’s no telling what will happen, they say, until things 
actually come to pass.” 

“Ah’s me ! — well, poor Hetty, ’tis of no great use to 
talk to them that can’t understand you, and so I’ll say no 
more about what I did wash to speak of, though it lay 
heavy on my mind. Put the paddle in motion' ag’in, gal, 
and we’ll push for the shore, for the sun is nearly lip, and 
my furlough is almost out.” 

The canoe now glided ahead, holding its w’ay toward the 
])oint where Deerslayer well knew that his enemies ex- 
pected him, and where he now began to be afraid he 
might not arrive in season to redeem his plighted faith. 
Hetty, perceiving his impatience, wathout very clearly 
comprehending its cause, how^ever, seconded his efforts in 
a way that soon rendered their timely return no longer a 
matter of doubt. Then, and then only, did the young 
man suffer his exertions to Hag, and Hetty began again to 


454 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


prattle in her simple, confiding manner, though nothing 
further was uttered that it ma"^ be thought necessary to 
relate. 


CHAPTER XXVII. 

“ Thou liast been busy, Death, this day, and yet 
But half thy work is done ! The gates of hell 
Are thronged, yet twice ten thousand spirits more, 
Who, from their warm and healthful tenements, 
Fear no divorce, must, ere the sun go down, 

Enter the world of woe ! ” — Southey. 


One experienced in the signs of the heavens, would 
have seen that the sun wanted but two or three minutes of 
the zenith, when Deerslayer landed on the point where 
the Hurons were now encamped, nearly abreast of the 
castle. This spot was similar to the one already described, 
with the exception that the surface of the land was less 
broken and less crowded with trees. Owing to these two 
circumstances, it was all the better suited to the purpose 
for which it had been selected, the space beneath the 
branches bearing some resemblance to a densely-wooded 
lawn. Favored by its position and its spring, it had been 
much resorted to by savages and hunters, and the natural 
grasses had succeeded their fires, leaving an appearance 
of sward in places, a very unusual accompaniment of the 
virgin forest. Nor was the margin of water fringed with 
bushes, as on so much of its shore, but the eye penetrated 
the woods immediately on reaching the strand, command- 
ing nearly the whole area of the projection. 

If it was a point of honor with the Indian warrior to re- 
deem his word, when pledged to return and meet his 
death at a given hour, so was it a point of characteristic 
pride to show no womanish impatience, but to reappear 
as nearly as possible at the appointed moment. It was 
well not to exceed the grace accorded by the generosity 
of the enemy, but it was better to meet it to a minute. 
Something of this dramatic effect mingles with most of 
the graver usages of the American aborigines, and no 
doubt, like the prevalence of a similar feeling among 
people more sophisticated and refined, may be referred to 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


455 


a principle of nature. We all love the wonderful, and 
when it comes attended by chivalrous self-devotion and a 
rigid regard to honor, it presents itself to our admiration 
in a shape doubly attractive. As respects Deerslayer, 
though he took a pride in showing his white blood, by 
often deviating from the usages of the red men, he fre- 
quently dropped into their customs, and oftener into their 
feelings, unconsciously to himself, in consequence of hav- 
ing no other arbiters to appeal to than their judgments 
and tastes. On the present occasion he would have al - 
stained from betraying a feverish haste by a too speedy 
return, since it would have contained a tacit admission 
that the time asked for was more than had been wanted ; 
but, on the other hand, had the idea occurred to him, he 
would have quickened his movements a little, in order to 
avoid tlie dramatic appearance of returning at the precise 
instant set as the utmost limit of his absence. Still, acci- 
dent had interfered to defeat the last intention, for when 
the young man put his foot on the point, and advanced 
with a steady tread toward the group of chiefs that was 
seated in grave array on a fallen tree, the oldest of their 
number cast his eye upward at an opening in the trees, 
and pointed out to his companions the startling fact that 
the sun was just entering a space that was known to mark 
the zenith. xV common but low exclamation of surprise 
and admiration escaped every mouth, and the grim war- 
riors looked at each other ; some with envy and disap- 
pointment, some with astonishment at the precise accu- 
racy of their victim, and others with a more generous and 
liberal feeling. The American Indian always deemed his 
moral victories the noblest, prizing the groans and yield- 
ing of his victim under torture more than the trophy of his 
scalp ; and the trophy itself more than his life. To slay, 
and not to bring off the proof of victory, indeed, was 
scarcely deemed honorable ; even these rude and fierce 
tenants of the forest, like their more nurtured brethren of 
the court and the camp, having set up for themselves im- 
aginary and arbitrary points of honor, to supplant the 
conclusions of the right and the decisions of reason. 

The Hurons had been divided in their opinions con- 
cerning the probability of their captive’s return. Most 
among them, indeed, had not expected it possible for a 


45 ^ 


THE DEERSLAYEE. 


pale-face to come back voluntarily, and meet the known 
penalties of an Indian torture ; but a few of the seniors 
expected better things from one who had already shown 
himself so singularly cool, brave, and upright. The party 
had come to its decision, however, less in the expectation 
of finding the pledge redeemed, than in the hope of dis- 
gracing the Delawares by casting into their teeth the de- 
linquency of one bred in their villages. They would have 
greatly preferred that Chingachgook should be their pris- 
oner, and prove the traitor ; but the pale-face scion of the 
hated stock was no bad substitute for their purposes, fail- 
ing in their designs against the ancient stem. With a 
view to render the triumph as signal as possible, in the 
event of the hour’s passing without the reappearance of 
the hunter, all the warriors and scouts of the party had 
been called in ; and the whole band, men, women, and 
children, were now assembled at this single point, to be a 
witness of the expected scene. As the castle was in plain 
view, and by no means distant, it was easily watched by 
daylight ; and it being thought that its inmates were now 
limited to Hurry, the Delaware, and the two girls, no ap- 
prehensions were felt of their being able to escape unseen. 
A large raft, having a breastwork of logs, had been pre- 
pared, and was in actual readiness to be used against 
either ark or castle, as occasion might require, so soon as 
the fate of the Deerslayer was determined ; the seniors 
of the party having come to the opinion that it was get- 
ting to be hazardous to delay their departure for Canada 
beyond the coming night. In short, the band waited mere- 
ly to dispose of this single affair, ere it brought matters to 
a crisis, and prepared to commence its retreat toward the 
distant waters of Ontario. 

It was an imposing scene into which Deerslayer now 
found himself advancing. All the older warriors were 
seated on the trunk of the fallen tree, waiting his approach 
with grave decorum. On the right stood the young men, 
armed, while the left was occupied by the women and chil- 
dren. In the centre was an open space of considerable 
extent, always canopied by leaves, but from which the 
underbrush, dead wood, and other obstacles had been care- 
fully removed. The more open area had probably been 
much used by former parties, for this was the place where 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


4 ' 5,7 

the appearance of a sward was the most decided. The 
arches of the woods, even at high noon, cast their sombre 
shadows on the spot, which the brilliant rays of the sun 
that struggled through the leaves contributed to mellow, 
and, if such an expression can be used, to illuminate. It 
was probably from a similar scene that the mind of man 
first got its idea of the effects of Gothic tracery and church- 
ly hues ; this temple of Nature producing some such ef- 
fect, so far as light and shadows were concerned, as the 
well-known offspring of human invention. 

As was not unusual among the tribes and wandering 
bands of the aborigines, two chiefs shared, in nearly equal 
degrees, the principal and primitive authority that was 
wielded over these children of the forest. There were 
several who might claim the distinction of being chief men, 
but the two in question were so much superior to all the 
rest in influence, that, when they agreed, no one disputed 
their mandates ; and when they were divided, the band 
hesitated, like men who had lost their gOA^erning principle 
of action. It was also in conformity with practice — perhaps 
we might add, in conformity with Nature, that one of the 
chiefs was indebted to his mind for his influence, whereas 
the other owed his distinction altogether to qualities that 
were physical. One was a senior well knoAvn for eloquence 
in debate, wisdom in council, and prudence in measures ; 
while his great competitor, if not his rival, was a brave, 
distinguished in war, notorious for ferocity, and remark- 
able in the way of intellect for nothing but the cunning 
and expedients of the war-path. The first was Riven- 
oak, who has already been introduced to the reader, while 
the last was called Le Panthere, in the language of the 
Canadas ; or the Panther, to resort to the vernacular of 
the English colonies. The appellation of the fighting chief 
was supposed to indicate the qualities of the warrior, agree- 
ably to a practice of the red man’s nomenclature ; ferocity, 
cunning, and treachery being, perhaps, the distinctive 
features of his character. The title had been received 
from the French, and was prized so much the more from 
that circumstance, the Indian submitting profoundly to 
the greater intelligence of his pale-face allies in most 
things of this nature. How well the sobriquet was merited 
will be seen in the sequel. 


458 


THE DEERS LA YER. 


Rivenoak and the Panther sat side by side, awaiting the 
approach of their prisoner, as Deerslayer put his moc- 
casined foot on the strand ; nor did either move or utter a 
syllable until the young man had advanced into the centre 
of the area, and proclaimed his presence with his voice. 
This was done firmly, though in the simple manner that 
marked the character of the individual. 

“ Here I am, Mingoes,” he said, in the dialect of the 
Delawares, a language that most present understood ; 
“ here I am, and there is the sun. One is not more true 
to the laws of Natur’ than the other has proved true to his 
word. I am your prisoner ; do with me what you please. 
My business with man and ’arth is settled ; nothing re- 
mains now but to meet the white man’s God ; accordin’ to 
a white man’s duties and gifts.” 

A murmur of approbation escaped even the women at 
this address, and, for an instant, there was a strong and 
pretty general desire to adopt into the tribe one who 
owned so brave a spirit. Still there were dissenters from 
this wish, among the principal of w’hom might be classed 
the Panther, and his sister, Le Sumach, so called from the 
number of her children, who was the widow of Le Loup 
Cervier, now known to have fallen by the hand of the 
captive. Native ferocity held one in subjection, while the 
corroding passion of revenge prevented the other from 
admitting any gentler feeling at the moment. Not so 
with Rivenoak. This chief arose, stretched his arms be- 
fore him, in a gesture of courtesy, and paid his compli- 
ments with an ease and dignity that a prince might have 
envied. As, in that band, his wisdom and eloquence were 
confessedly without rivals, he knew that on himself would 
properly fall the duty of first replying to the speech of the 
pale-face. 

“ Pale-face, you are honest,” said the Huron orator. 
“ My people are happy in having captured a man, and 
not a skulking fox. We now know you ; we shall treat 
you like a brave. If you have slain one of our warriors, 
and helped to kill others, you have a life of your own 
ready to give away in return. Some of my young men 
thought that the blood of the pale-face was too thin ; that 
it would refuse to run under the Huron knife. You will 
show them it is not so ; your heart is stout as well as your 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


459 


body. It is a pleasure to make such a prisoner; should 
my warriors say that the death of Le Loup Cervier ought 
not to be forgotten, and that he cannot travel toward the 
land of spirits alone, that his enemy must be sent to over- 
take him, they will remember that he fell by the hand of 
a brave, and send you after him with such signs of our 
friendship as shall not make him ashamed to keep your 
company. I have spoken : you know what I have said.” 

“True enough, Mingo, all true as the gospel,” returned 
the simple-minded hunter; “you have spoken, and I do 
know, not only what you have said^ but, what is still more 
important, what you mean. I dare to say your warrior, 
the Lynx, was a stout-hearted brave, and worthy of your 
fri’ndship and respect, but I do not feel unworthy to keep 
his company, without any passport from your hands. 
Nevertheless, here I am, ready to receive judgment from 
your council, if, indeed, the matter was not detarmined 
among you afore I got back.” 

“ My old men would not sit in council over a pale-face • 
until they saw him among them,” answered Rivenoak, 
looking around him a little ironically; “they said it 
would be like sitting in council over the winds ; they go 
where they will, and come back as they see fit, and not 
otherwise. There was one voice that spoke in your favor, 
Deerslayer, but it was alone, like the song of the wren 
whose mate has been struck by the hawk.” 

“ I thank that voice, whosever it may have been, Mingo, 
and will say it was as true a voice as the rest were lying 
voices. A furlough is as binding on a pale-face, if he be 
honest, as it is on a red-skin ; and was it not so, I would 
never bring disgrace on the Delawares, among whom I 
may be said to have received my edication. But words 
are useless, and lead to braggin’ feelin’s ; here I am ; act 
your will on me.” 

Rivenoak made a sign of acquiescence, and then a short 
conference was privately held among the chiefs. As soon 
as the latter ended, three or four young men fell back 
from among the armed group, and disappeared. Then it 
was signified to the prisoner that he was at liberty to go 
at large on the point, until a council was held, concerning 
his fate. There was more of seeming than of real confi- 
dence, however, in this apparent liberality, inasmuch as 


460 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


the young men mentioned already formed a line of sen- 
tinels across the breadth of the point, inland, and escape 
from any other part was out of the question. Even the 
canoe was removed beyond this line of sentinels, to a spot 
where it was considered safe from any sudden attempt. 
These precautions did not proceed from a failure of confi- 
dence, but from the circumstance that the prisoner had 
now complied with all the required conditions of his 
parole, and it would have been considered a commendable 
and honorable exploit to escape from his foes. So nice, 
indeed, were the distinctions drawn by the savages, in 
cases of this nature, that they often gave their victims a 
chance to evade the torture, deeming it as creditable to the 
captors to overtake, or to outwit a fugitive, when his exer- 
tions were supposed to be quickened by the extreme 
jeopardy of his situation, as it was for him to get clear 
from so much extraordinary vigilance. 

Nor was Deerslayer unconscious of, or forgetful of, his 
rights and his opportunities. Could he now have seen 
any probable opening for an escape, the attempt would 
not have been delayed a minute. But the case seemed 
desperate. He was aware of the line of sentinels, and felt 
the difficulty of breaking through it unharmed. The lake 
offered no advantages, as the canoe would have given his 
foes the greatest facilities for overtaking him ; else would 
he have found it no difficult task to swim as far as the 
castle. As he walked about the point, he even examined 
the spot to ascertain if it offered no place of concealment ; 
but its openness, its size, and the hundred watchful glances 
that were turned tdward him, even while those who made 
them affected not to see him, prevented any such expedient 
from succeeding. The dread and disgrace of failure had 
no influence On Deerslayer, who deemed it ever a point of 
honor to reason and feel like a white man, rather than as 
an Indian, and who felt it a sort of duty to do all he could 
that did not involve a dereliction from principle, in order 
to save his life. Still he hesitated about making the effort, 
for he also felt that he ought to see the chance of success 
before he committed himself. 

In the meantime the business of the camp appeared to 
proceed in its regular train. The chiefs consulted apart, 
admitting no one but the Sumach to their councils ; for 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


461 


she, the widow of the fallen warrior, had an exclusive right 
to be heard on such an occasion. The young men strolled 
about in indolent listlessness, awaiting the result with In- 
dian impatience, while the females prepared the feast that 
was to celebrate the termination of the affair, whether it 
proved fortunate or otherwise for our hero. No one be- 
trayed feeling ; and an indifferent observer, beyond the 
extreme watchfulness of the sentinels, would have detected 
no extraordinary movement or sensation to denote the real 
state of things. Two or three old women put their heads 
together, and it appeared unfavorably to the prospect of 
the Deerslayer, by their scowling looks and angry ges- 
tures ; but a group of Indian girls were evidently animated 
by a different impulse, as was apparent by stolen glances 
that expressed pity and regret. In this condition of the 
camp, an hour soon glided away. 

Suspense is, perhaps, the feeling, of all others, that is 
most difficult to be supported. When Deerslayer landed 
he fully expected in the course of a few minutes to un- 
dergo the tortures of an Indian revenge, and he was pre- 
pared to meet his fate manfully ; but the delay proved far 
more trying than the nearer approach of suffering, and the 
intended victim began seriously to meditate some desperate 
effort at escape, as it might be from sheer anxiety to ter- 
minate the scene, when he was suddenly summoned to ap- 
pear, once more, in front of his judges, who had already 
arranged the band in its former order, in readiness to re- 
ceive him. 

“ Killer of the deer,” commenced Rivenoak, as soon as 
his captive stood before him, “ my aged men have listened 
to wise words; they are ready to speak. You are a man 
whose fatliers came from beyond the rising sun ; we ai(' 
children of the setting sun; we turn our faces toward l'.; 
Great Sweet Lakes when we look toward our villages. ’ 
may be a wise country and full of riches toward the moi , - 
ing, but it is very pleasant toward the evening. We li.v_ 
most to look in that direction. When we gaze at the east 
we feel afraid, canoe after canoe bringing more and nm- > 
of your people in the track of the sun, as if their land , 
so full as to run over. The red men are few already; ti.’L-; 
have need of help. One of our best lodges has lately been 
emptied by the death of its master; it will be a long time 


462 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


before his son can grow big enough to sit in his place. 
There is his widow ! she will want venison to feed her and 
her ciiildren, for her sons are yet like the young of the 
robin before tliey quit the nest. By your hand has this 
great calamity befallen her. She has two duties : one to Le 
Loup Cervier, and one to his children. Scalp for scalp, life 
for life, blood for blood, is one law ; to feed her young an- 
other. We know you. Killer of the Deer. You are honest ; 
when you say a thing it is so. You liave but one tongue, 
and that is not forked like a snake’s. Your head is never 
hid in the grass ; all can see it. What you say that will you 
do. You are just. When you have done wrong, it is your 
wish to do right again as soon as you can. Here is the 
Sumach ; she is alone in her wigwam, with children crying 
around her for food ; yonder is a rifle, it is loaded and 
ready to be fired. Take the gun ; go forth and shoot a 
deer ; bring the venison and lay it before the widow of I^e 
Loup Cervier ; feed her children ; call yourself her husband. 
After which your heart will no longer be Delaware, but 
Huron; Le Sumach’s ears will not hear the cries of her 
children ; my people will count the proper number of 
warriors.” 

“I feared this, Rivenoak,” answered Deerslayer, when 
tlie other had ceased speaking ; “yes, I did dread that it 
Avould come to this. Howsever, the truth is soon told, 
and that will put an end to all expectations on this head. 
Mingo, I’m white, and. Christian-born ; ’twould ill become 
me to take a wife, under red-skin, forms, from among 
heathen. That which I wouldn’t do in peaceable times, 
and under a bright sun, still less would I do behind clouds, 
in order to save my life. I may never marry ; most likely 
Providence, in putting me up here in the woods, has in- 
tended that I should live single, and without a lodge of 
my own ; but should such a thing come to pass, none but 
a woman of my own color and gifts shall darken the door 
of my wigwam. As for feeding the young of your dead 
warrior, I would do that cheerfully, could ii be done with- 
out discredit ; but it cannot, seeing that I can never live 
in a Huron village. Your own young men must find the 
Sumach in venison, and the next time she marries, let her 
take a husband whose legs are not long enough to over- 
run territory that don’t belong to him. We fou’t a fair 


THE DEEKSLAYER. 


battle, and he fell ; in this there is nothin’ but what a 
brave expects, and should be ready to meet. As for get- 
ting a Mingo heart, as well might you expect to see gray 
hairs on a boy, or the blackberry growing on tlie pine. 
No, no, Huron ; my gifts are white so far as wives are 
consumed ; it is Delaware in all things touchin’ Injins.” 

These words were scarcely out of the mouth of Deer- 
slayer before a common murmur betrayed the dissatisfac- 
tion with which they had been heard. The aged women, 
in particular, were loud in their expressions of disgust ; 
and the gentle Sumach herself, a woman quite old enough 
to be our hero’s mother, was not the least pacific in her 
denunciations. But all the other manifestations of disap- 
pointment and discontent were thrown into the back- 
ground by the fierce resentment of the Panther. This 
grim chief had thought it a degradation to permit his sis- 
ter to become the wife of a pale-face of the Yengeese, at 
all, ^ and had only given a reluctant consent to the arrange- 
ment — one by no means unusual among the Indians, how- 
ever— at the earnest solicitations of the bereaved widow ; 
and it goaded him to the quick to find his condescensio-n. 
slighted, the honor he had with so much regret been per- 
suaded to accord contemned. The animal from which he 
got his name does not glare on his intended prey with 
more frightful ferocity than his eyes gleamed on the cap- 
tive ; nor was his arm backward in seconding the fierce re- 
sentment that almost consumed his breast. 

“Dog of the pale-faces !” he exclaimed, in Iroquois, 
“go yell among the curs of your own evil hunting- 
grounds ! ” 

The denunciation was accompanied by an appropriate 
action. Even while speaking, his arm was lifted and the 
tomahawk hurled. Luckily the loud tones of the speaker 
had drawn the eye of Deerslayer toward him, else would 
that moment have probably closed his career. So great 
was the dexterity with which this dangerous weapon was 
thrown, and so deadly the intent, that it would have riven 
the skull of the prisoner, had he not stretched forth an 
arm, and caught the handle in one of its turns, with a 
readiness quite as remarkable as the skill with which the 
missile had been hurled. The projectile force was so 
great, notwithstanding, that when Deerslayer’s arm was 


464 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


arrested, his hand was raised above and behind his own 
head, and in the very attitude necessary to return the at- 
tack. It is not certain whether the circumstance of find- 
ing himself unexpectedly in this menacing posture and 
armed, tempted the young man to retaliate, or whether 
sudden resentment overcame his forbearance and pru- 
dence. His eye kindled, however, and a small red spot 
appeared on each cheek, while he cast all his energy into 
the effort of his arm and threw back the weapon at his as- 
sailant. The unexpectedness of this blow contributed to 
its success ; the Panther neither raising an arm nor bend- 
ing his head to avoid it. The keen little axe struck the 
victim in a perpendicular line with the nose, directly be- 
tween the eyes, literally braining him on the spot. Sally- 
ing forward, as the serpent darts at its enemy even while 
receiving its own death-wound, this man of powerful 
frame fell his length into the open area formed by the cir- 
cle, quivering in death. A common rush to his relief left 
the captive for a single instant, quite without the crowd ; 
and, willing to make one desperate effort for his life, he 
bounded off with the activity of a deer. There was but a 
breathless instant, when the whole band, old and young, 
women and children, abandoned the lifeless body of the 
Panther where it lay, raised the yell of alarm, and followed 
in pursuit. 

Sudden as had been the event which induced Deer- 
slayer to make this desperate trial of speed, his mind was 
not wholly unprepared for the fearful emergency. In the 
course of the past hour, he had pondered well on the 
chances of such an experiment, and had shrew^dly calcu- 
lated all the details of success and failure. At the first 
leap, therefore, his body was completely under the direc- 
tion of an intelligence that turned all its efforts to the best 
account, and prevented everything like hesitation or in- 
decision, at the important instant of the start. To this 
alone was he indebted for tlie first great advantage, that 
of getting through the line of sentinels unharmed. The 
manner in which this was done, though sufficiently simple, 
merits a description. 

Although the shores of the point were not fringed with 
bushes, as w^as the case with most of the others on the lake, 
it was owing altogether to the circumstance that the spot 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


465 


bad been so much used by hunters and fishermen. This 
fringe commenced on wliat might be termed the main 
land, and was as dense as usual, extending in long lines 
both north and south. In the latter direction, then. Deer- 
slayer held his way ; and, as the sentinels were a little 
without the commencement of this thicket before the 
alarm was clearly communicated to them, the fugitive had 
gained its cover. To run among the bushes, however, was 
out of the question, and Deerslayer held his way for some 
forty or fifty yards in the water, which was barely knee- 
deep, offering as great an obstacle to the speed of his pur- 
suers as it did to his own. As soon as a favorable spot 
presented, he darted through the line of bushes, and is- 
sued into the open woods. 

Several rifles were discharged at Deerslayer while in 
the water, and more' followed as he came out into the 
comparative exposure of the clear forest. But the direc- 
tion of his line of flight, wliicli partially crossed that of the 
fire, the haste with which the weapons had been aimed, 
and the general confusion that prevailed in the camp, pre- 
vented any harm from being done. Bullets whistled past 
liim, and many cut twigs from the branches at his side, 
but not one touched even his dress. The delay caused 
by these fruitless attempts was of great service to the fu- 
gitive, who had gained more than a hundred yards on even 
the leading men of the Hurons, ere something like con- 
cert and order had entered into the chase. To think of 
following with rifle in hand was out of the question ; and, 
after emptying their pieces in vague hopes of wounding 
their captive, the best runners of the Indians threw them 
aside, calling out to the women and boys to recover and 
load them again as soon as possible. 

Deerslayer knew too well the desperate nature of the 
struggle in which he was engaged, to lose one of the 
precious moments. He also knew that his only hope was 
to run in a straight line, for as soon as he began to turn, 
or double, the greater number of his pursuers would put 
escape out of the question. He held his way, therefore, 
in a diagonal direction, up the acclivity, which was neither 
very high nor very steep, in this part of the mountain, but 
which was sufficiently toilsome for one contending for 
life, to render it painfully oppressive. There, however he, 

30 


466 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


slackened his speed to recover breath, proceeding even at 
a quick walk, or slow trot, along the more difficult parts 
of the way. The Hurons were whooping and leaping be- 
hind him ; but this he disregarded, well knowing they 
must overcome the difficulties he had surmounted, ere 
they could reach the elevation to which he had attained. 
The summit of the first hill was now quite near him, and 
he saw, by the formation of the land, that a deep glen in- 
tervened, before the base of a second hill could be reached. 
Walking deliberately to the summit, he glanced eagerly 
about him in every direction, in quest of a cover. None 
offered in the ground ; but a fallen tree lay near him, and 
desperate circumstances require desperate remedies. This 
tree lay in a line parallel to the glen at the brow of the 
hill ; to leap on it, and then to force his person as close 
as possible under its lower side, took but a moment. Pre- 
viously to disappearing from his pursuers, however. Deer- 
slayer stood on the height and gave a cry of triumph, as 
if exulting at the sight of the descent that lay before him. 
In the next instant he was stretched beneath the tree. 

No sooner was this expedient adopted, than the young 
man ascertained how desperate had been his own efforts, 
by the violence of the pulsations in his frame. He could 
hear his heart beat, and his breathing Avas like the action 
of a bellows in quick motion. Breath Avas gained, hoA\- 
ever, and the heart soon ceased to throb as if about to 
break through its confinement. The footsteps of those 
Avho toiled up the opposite side of the acclivity AA^ere now 
audible, and presently Amices and treads announced the 
arrival of the pursuers. The foremost shouted as they 
reached the height ; then, fearful that their enemy Avoiild 
escape under favor of the descent, each leaped upon the 
fallen tree, and plunged into the ravine, trusting to get a 
sight of the pursued, ere he reached the bottom. In tliis 
manner Huron followed Huron, until Natty began to hope 
the Avhole had passed. Others succeeded, hoAve\mr, until 
quite forty had leaped over the tree ; and then he counted 
them, as the surest mode of ascertaining how many could 
be behind. Presently all Avere in the bottom of the glen, 
quite a hundred feet beloAV him, and some had even as- 
cended part of the opposite hill, Avhen it became evident 
an inquiry Avas making as to the direction he had taken. 


THE DEERS LA YER. 


467 


This was the critical moinent ; and one of nerves less 
steady, or of a training that had been neglected, would 
have seized it to rise and fly. Not so with Deerslayer. 
He lay quiet, watching with jealous vigilance every move- 
ment below, and fast regaining his breath. 

The Hurons now resembled a pack of hounds at fault. 
Little was said, but eacii man ran about, examining the 
dead leaves, as the hound hunts for the lost scent. The 
great number of moccasins that had passed made the ex- 
amination difficult, thougli the in-toe of an Indian was easi- 
ly to be distinguished from the freer and wider step of a 
white man. Believing that no more pursuers remained 
behind, and hoping to steal away unseen, Deerslayer sud- 
denly threw himself over the tree, and fell on the upper 
side. This achievement appeared to be effected success- 
fully, and hope beat high in the bosom of the fugitive. 
Rising to his hands and feet, after a moment lost in listen- 
ing to the sounds in the glen, in order to ascertain if he 
had been seen, the young man next scrambled to the top 
of the hill, a distance of only ten yards, in the expectation 
of getting its brow between him and his pursuers, and him- 
self so far under cover. Even this was effected, and he 
rose to his feet, walking swiftly but steadily along the 
summit, in a direction opposite to that in which he had 
first fled. The nature of the calls in the glen, however, 
soon made him uneasy, and he sprang upon the summit 
again, in order to reconnoitre. No sooner did he reach 
the height, than he was seen, and the chase renewed. As 
it was better footing on the level ground, Deerslayer now 
avoided the side-hill, holding his flight along the ridge ; 
while the Hurons, judging from the -general formation of 
the land, saw that the ridge would soon melt into the hol- 
low, and kept to the latter, as the easiest mode of heading 
the fugitive. A few at the same time turned south, with 
a view to prevent his escaping in that direction ; while 
some crossed his trail toward the water, in order to pre- 
rent his retreat by the lake, running southerly. 

The situation of Deerslayer was now more critical than 
it ever had been. He was virtually surrounded on three 
sides, having the lake on the fourth. But he had pondered 
well on all the chances, and took his measures with cool- 
ness, even while at the top of his speed. As is generally 


468 


THE DEERSLA VER, 


the case with the vigorous bordermen, he could outrun 
any single Indian among his pursuers, who were principal- 
ly formidable to him on account of their numbers, and the 
advantages the}’- possessed in position ; and he would not 
have hesitated to break off, in a straight line, at any spot, 
could he have got the whole band again fairly behind him. 
But no such chance did, or indeed could, now offer;* and 
when he found that he was descending toward the glen, by 
the melting away of the ridge, he turned, short, at right 
angles to his previous course, and went down the declivity 
with tremendous velocity, holding his way toward the 
shore. Some of his pursuers came panting up the hill, in 
direct chase, while most still kept on, in the ravine, intend- 
ing to head him at its termination. \ 

Deerslayer had now a different though a desperate proj- 
ect in view. Abandoning all thoughts of escape by the 
woods, he made the best of his way toward the canoe. He 
knew where it lay ; could it be reached, he had only to 
run the gauntlet of a few rifles, and success would be cer- 
tain. None of the warriors had kept their weapons, which 
would have retarded their speed, and the risk would come 
either from the uncertain hands of the women, or from 
those of some well-grown boy ; though most of the latter 
were already out in hot pursuit. Everything seemed pro- 
pitious to the execution of this plan, and, the course be- 
ing a continued descent, the young man went over the 
ground at a rate that promised a speedy termination to his 
toil. 

As Deerslayer approached the point, several women 
and children were passed, but, though the former endeav- 
ored to cast dried branches between his legs, the terror in- 
spired by his bold retaliation on the redoubted Panther 
was so great, that none dared come near enough seriously 
to molest him. He went by all triumphantly, and reached 
the fringe of bushes. Plunging through these, our hero 
found himself once more in the lake and within fifty feet 
of the canoe. Here he ceased to run, for he well under- 
stood that his breath was now all-important to him. He 
even stooped, as he advanced, and cooled his parched 
mouth bv scooping up water in his hand to drink. Still 
the moments pressed, and he soon stood at the side of the 
canoe. The first glance told him that the paddles had 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


469 


been removed ! This was a sore disappointment after all 
his efforts, and, for a single moment, he thought of turn- 
ing and of facing his foes by walking with dignity into the 
centre of the camp again. But an infernal yell, such as 
the American savage alone can raise, proclaimed the quick 
approach of the nearest of his pursuers, and the instinct 
of life triumphed. Preparing himself duly, and giving a 
right direction,‘to its bows, he ran off into the water bear- 
ing the canoe before him, and threw all his strength and 
skill into a last effort, and cast himself forward so as to 
fall into the bottom of the light craft, without materially 
impoiling its way. Here he remained on his back, both 
to regain his breath and to cover his person from the 
deadly xMfie. The lightness, which was such an advantage 
in paddling the canoe, now operated unfavorably. The 
material was so like a feather that the boat had no mo- 
mentum ; else would the impulse in that smooth and 
placid sheet have impelled it to a distance from the shore, 
that would have rendered paddling with the hands safe. 
Could such a point once be reached, Deerslayer thought 
he might get far enough out to attract the attention of 
Chingachgook and Judith, who would not fail to come to 
his relief with other canoes, a circumstance that promised 
everything. As the young man lay in the bottom of tlie 
canoe, he watched its movements, by studying the tops of 
the trees on the mountain-side, and judged of his distance 
by the time and the motion. Voices on the shore were 
now numerous, and he heard something said about man- 
ning the raft, which fortunately for the fugitive lay at a 
considerable distance on the other side of the point. 

Perhaps the situation of Deerslayer liad not been more 
critical that day than it was at tliis moment. It certainly 
had not been one-half as tantalizing. He lay perfectly 
quiet for two or three minutes, trusting to the single sense 
of hearing, confident that the noise in the lake would reach 
his ears, did any one venture to approach by swimming. 
Once or twice he fancied that the element was stirred by 
the cautious movement of an arm, and then he perceived 
it was the wash of the water on the pebbles of the strand ; 
for, in mimicry of the ocean, it is seldom that those little 
lakes are so totally tranquil as not to possess a slight 
heaving and setting on their shores. Suddenly all the 


470 


THE DEER SLAVER. 


voices ceased, and a death-like stillness pervaded the spot; 
a quietness as profound as if all lay in the repose of inani- 
mate life. By this time the canoe had drifted so far as to 
render nothing visible to Deerslayer, as he lay on his back 
except the blue void of space, and a few of those brighter 
rays that proceed from the effulgence of the sun, marking 
his proximity. It was not possible to endure this uncer- 
tainty long. The young man well knew that the profound 
stillness foreboded evil, the savages never being so silent 
as when about to strike a blow ; resembling the stealthy 
foot of the panther ere he takes his leap. He took out a 
knife, and was about to cut a hole through the bark in or- 
der to get a view of the shore, when he paused from a 
dread of being seen in the operation, which would direct 
the enemy where to aim their bullets. At this instant a 
rifle was fired, and the ball pierced both sides of the canoe, 
within eighteen inches of the spot where his head lay. 
This was close Avork, but our hero had too lately gone 
through that which was closer to be appalled. He lay 
still half a minute longer, and then he saw the summit of 
an oak coming slowly within his narrow horizon. 

Unnble to account for this change, Deerslayer could re- 
strain his impatience no longer. Hitching his body along 
with the utmost caution, he got his eye at the bullet-hole 
and fortunately commanded a very tolerable view of the 
point. The canoe, by one of those imperceptible im- 
pulses that so often decide the fate of men, as well as the 
course of things, had inclined southerly, and was slowly 
drifting down the lake. It was lucky that Deerslayer had 
given it a shove sufficiently vigorous to send it past the 
end of the point ere it took this inclination, or it must 
have gone ashore again. As it was, it drifted so near it as 
to bring the tops of two or three trees within the range of 
the young man’s view, as has been mentioned, and, indeed, 
to come in quite as close proximity with the extremity of 
the point as was at all safe. The distance could not much 
have exceeded a hundred feet, though fortunately a light 
current of air from the southwest began to set it slowly 
off-shore. 

Deerslayer now felt the urgent necessity of resorting to 
some expedient to get farther from his foes, and, if possi- 
ble, to apprise his friends of his situation. The distance 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


471 


rendered the last difficult, while the proximity to the point 
rendered the first indispensable. As was usual in such 
craft, a large, round, smooth stone was in each end of the 
canoe, for the double purpose of seats and ballast ; one of 
these was within reach of his feet. The stone he con- 
trived to get so far between his legs as to reach it with his 
hands, and then he managed to roll it to the side of its fel- 
low in the bows, where the two served to keep the trim of 
the light boat, while he worked his own body as far aft as 
possible. Before quitting the shore, and as soon as he 
perceived that the paddles were gone, Deerslayer had 
thrown a bit of dead branch into the canoe, and this was 
within reach of his arm. Removing the cap he wore, he 
put it on the end of this stick, and just let it appear over 
the edge of the canoe, as far as possible from his own per- 
son. This was scarcely adopted before the young man 
had a proof liow much he had underrated the intelligence 
of his enemies. In contempt of an artifice so shallow and 
commonplace, a bullet was fired directly through another 
part of the canoe, which actually grazed his skin. lie 
dropped the cap and instantly raised it immediately above 
his head, as a safeguard. It would seem that this second 
artifice was unseen, or what was more probable, the Hu- 
rons, feeling certain of recovering their captive, wished to 
take him alive. 

Deerslayer lay passive a few minutes longer, his eye at 
the bullet-hole, however, and much did he rejoice at see- 
ing that he was drifting gradually farther and farther from 
the shore. When he looked upward the tree-tops had dis- 
appeared, but he soon found that the canoe was slowly 
turning, so as to prevent his getting a view of anything at 
his peep-hole but of the two extremities of the lake. He 
now bethought him of the stick, which was crooked, and 
offered some facilities for rowing without the necessity of 
rising. The experiment succeeded, on trial, better even 
than he had hoped, though his great embarrassment was 
to keep the canoe straight. That his present manoeuvre, 
was seen soon became apparent by the clamor on the shore, 
and a bullet, entering the stern of the canoe, traversed its 
length, whistling between the arms of our hero, and passed 
out at the head. This satisfied the fugitive that he was 
getting away with tolerable speed, and induced him to in- 


472 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


crease his efforts. He was making a stronger push than 
common, when another messenger from the point broke 
the stick out-board, and at once deprived him of his oar. 
As the sound of voices seemed to grow more and more 
distant, however, Deerslayer determined to leave all to the 
drift, until he believed himself beyond the reach of bullets. 
This was nervous work, but it was the wisest of all the 
expedients that offered ; and the young man was encour- 
aged to persevere in it by the circumstance that he felt 
his face fanned by the air, a proof that there was a little 
more wind. 


CHAPTER XXVHI. 

“Nor widows’ tears, nor tender orphans’ cries, ^ 

Can stop th’ invaders’ force ; 

Nor swelling seas, nor threatening skies, 

Prevent the pirate’s course : 

Their lives to selfish ends decreed, 

Through blood and rapine they proceed ; 

No anxious thought of ill-repute, 

Suspend the impetuous and unjust pursuit ; 

But power and wealth obtained, guilty and great, 

Their fellow-creatures’ fears they raise, or urge their hate.” 

— Congreve. 

By this time Deerslayer had been twenty minutes in the 
canoe, and he began to grow a little impatient for some 
signs of relief from his friends. The position of the boat 
still prevented his seeing in any direction, unless it were 
up or down the lake ; and, though he knew that his line 
of sight must pass within a hundred yards of the castle, it, 
in fact, passed that distance to the westward of the build- 
ings. The profound stillness troubled him also, for he 
knew not whether to ascribe it to the increasing space be- 
tween him and the Indians, or to some new artifice. At 
length, wearied with fruitless watchfulness, the young 
man turned himself on his back, closed his eyes, and 
awaited the result in determined acquiescence. If the 
savages could so completely control their thirst for re- 
venge, he was resolved to be as calm as themselves, and 
to trust his fate to the interposition of the currents and 
air. 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


473 


Some additional ten minutes may have passed in the 
quiescent manner, on both sides, when Deerslayer thought 
he heard a slight noise, like a low rubbing against the bot- 
tom of his canoe. He opened his eyes of course, in ex- 
pectation of seeing the face or arm of an Indian rising 
from the water, and found that a canopy of leaves was 
impending directly over his head. Starting to his feet, the 
first object that met his eye was Rivenoak, who had so far 
aided the slow progress of the boat as to draw it on the 
point, the grating on the strand being the sound that had 
first given our hero the alarm. The change in the drift of 
the canoe had been altogetlier owing to the baffling nature 
of the light currents of the air, aided by some eddies in 
the water. 

“ Come,” said the Huron, with a quiet gesture of au- 
thority to order his prisoner to land ; “ my young friend 
has sailed about till he is tired ; he will forget how to run 
again, unless he uses his legs.” 

“ You’ve the best of it, Huron,” returned Deerslayer, 
stepping steadily from the canoe, and passively following 
liis leader to the open area of the point ; “ Providence has 
helped you in an unexpected manner. I’m your prisoner 
ag’in, and I hope you’ll allow that I’m as good at breaking 
jail as I am at keeping furloughs.” 

“ My young friend is a moose ! ” exclaimed the Huron. 
“ His legs are very long ; they have given my young men 
trouble. But he is not a fish ; he cannot find his way m 
the lake. We did not shoot him ; fish are taken in nets 
and not killed by bullets. When he turns moose again he 
will be treated like a moose.” 

“ Ay, have your talk, Rivenoak ; make the most of your 
advantage. ’Tis your right, I suppose, and I know it is 
your gift. On that p’int there’ll be no words atween us ; 
for all men must and ought to follow their gifts. How- 
sever, when your women begin to ta’nt and abuse me, as I 
know will soon happen, let ’em remember that if a pale- 
face struggles for life so long as it’s lawful and manful, he 
knows how to loosen his hold on it, decently, when he feels 
that the time has come. I’m your captyve ; work your will 
on me.” 

“ My brother has had a long run on the hills, and a pleas- 
ant sail on the water,” returned Rivenoak, more mildly. 


474 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


smiling, at the same time, in a way that his listener knew 
denoted pacific intentions. “ He has seen the woods ; he 
has seen tiie water ; which does he like the best ? Perhaps 
he has seen enough to change his mind and make him hear 
reason.” 

“ Speak out, Huron. Something is in your thoughts, 
and the sooner it is said, the sooner you’ll get my an- 
swer.” 

“ That is straight ! There is no turning in the talk of 
my pale-face friend, though he is a fox in running. I will 
speak to him ; his ears are now open wider than before, 
and his eyes are not shut. The Sumach is poorer than 
ever. Once she had a brother and a husband. She had 
children too. The time came, and the husband started for 
the happy hunting-grounds, without saying farewell ; he 
left her alone with his children. This he could not help, 
or he would not have done it ; Le Loup Cervierwas a good 
husband. It was pleasant to see the venison, and the wild 
ducks, and geese, and bear’s meat, that hung in his lodge, 
in winter. It is now gone ; it will not keep in warm 
weather. Who shall bring it back again ? Some thought 
the brother would not forget his sister, and that, next win- 
ter, he would see that the lodge should not be empty. We 
thought this ; but the Panther yelled, and followed the 
husband on the path of death. They are now trying which 
shall first reach the happy hunting-grounds. Some think 
the Lynx can run fastest, and some think the Panther can 
jump the farthest. The Sumach thinks both will travel so 
fast and so far that neither will ever come back. Who 
shall feed her and her young ? The man who told her hus- 
band and her brother to quit her lodge, that there might be 
room for him to come into it. He is a great hunter, and 
we know tliat the woman will never want.” 

“Ay, Huron, this is soon settled, accordin’ to your no- 
tions ; but it goes sorely ag’in the grain of a white man’s 
feelin’s. I’ve heard of men saving their lives this-a-way, 
and I’ve know’d them that would prefer death to such a 
sort of captivity. For my part, I do not seek my end ; nor 
do I seek matrimony.” 

“The pale-face will think of this while my people get 
ready for the council. He will be told what will liappen. 
Let him remember how hard it is to lose a husband and a 


THE DRERSLAVER. 


475 


brother. Go ; when we want him, the name of Deerslayer 
will be called.” 

This conversation had been held with no one near but 
the speakers. Of all the band that had so lately thronged 
the place, Rivenoak alone was visible. The rest seemed 
to have totally abandoned the spot. Even the furniture, 
clothes, arms, and other property of the camp had entirely 
disappeared, and the place bore no other proofs of the 
crowd that had so lately occupied it, than the traces of 
their fires and resting-places, and the trodden earth, thr^t 
still showed the marks of their feet. So sudden and unex- 
pected a change caused Deerslayer a good deal of surprise 
and some uneasiness, for he had never known it to occur, 
in the course of his experience among the Delawares. He 
suspected, however, and rightly, that a change of encamp- 
ment was intended, and that the mystery of the movement 
was resorted to in order to work on his apprehensions. 

Rivenoak walked up the vista of trees, as soon as he 
ceased speaking, leaving Deerslayer by himself. The 
chief disappeared behind the covers of the forest, and one 
unpractised in such scenes might have believed the pris- 
oner left to the dictates of his own judgment. But the 
young man, while he felt a little amazement at the dra- 
matic aspect of things, knew his enemies too well to fancy 
himself at liberty, or a free agent. Still he was ignorant 
how far the Hurons meant to carry their artifices, and he 
determined to bring the question, as soon as practicable, 
to the proof. Affecting an indifference he was far from 
feeling, he strolled about the area, gradually getting nearer 
and nearer to the spot where he had landed, when he sud- 
denly quickened his pace, though carefully avoiding all 
appearance of flight, and, pushing aside the bushes, he 
stepped upon the beach. The canoe was gone, nor could 
he see any traces of it, after walking to the northern and 
southern verges of the point, and examining the shores in 
both directions. It was evidently removed beyond his 
reach and knowledge, and under circumstances to show 
that such had been the intention of the savages. 

Deerslayer now better understood his actual situation. 
He was a prisoner on the narrow tongue of land, vigilant- 
ly watched beyond a question, and with no other means 
of escape than that of swimming. He again thought of 


476 


THE DEERSLAYKR. 


this last expedient, but the certainty that the canoe would 
be sent in chase, and the desperate nature of the chances 
of success, deterred him from the undertaking. While 
on the strand he came to a spot where the bushes had 
been cut and thrown into a small pile. Removing a few 
of the upper branches, he found beneath them the dead 
body of the Panther. He knew that it was kept until the 
savages might find a place to inter it, when it would be 
beyond the reach of the scalping-knife. He gazed wist- 
fully toward the castle, but there all seemed to be silent 
and desolate, and a feeling of loneliness and desertion came 
over him to increase the gloom of the moment. 

“ God’s will be done!” murmured the young man, as 
he walked sorrowfully away from the beach, entering again 
beneath the arches of the wood ; “ God’s will be done on 
’arth, as it is in heaven ! I did hope that my days would 
not be numbered so soon ! But it matters little, a’ter all. 
A few more winters, and a few more summers, and ’twould 
have been over, accordin’ to natur’. Ah’s me ! the young 
and actyve seldom think death possible, till he grins in 
their faces and tells ’em the hour is come ! ” 

While this soliloquy was being pronounced, the hunter 
advanced into the area, where, to his surprise, he saw 
Hetty alone, evidently awaiting his return. The girl car- 
ried the Bible under her arm, and her face, over which a 
shadow of gentle melancholy was usually thrown, now 
seemed sad and downcast. Moving nearer, Deerslayer 
spoke. 

“Poor Hetty,” he said, “times have been so trouble- 
some of late that I’d altogether forgotten you ; we meet, 
as it might be, to mourn over what is to happen. I won- 
der what has become of Chingachgook and Wah ? ” 

“ Why did you kill the Huron, Deerslayer?” returned 
tlie girl reproachfully. “ Don’t you, know your command- 
ments, which say, ‘ Thou shalt not kill ! ’ They tell me 
you have now slain the woman’s husband and brother.” 

“ It’s true, my good Hetty, ’tis gospel truth, and I’ll not 
deny what has come to pass. But, you must remember, 
gal, that many things are lawful in war which would be 
onlawful in peace. The husband was shot in open fight ; 
or open so far as I was consarned, while he had a better 
cover than common ; and the brother brought his ind on 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


477 


himself, by casting his tomahawk at an unarmed prisoner. 
Did you witness that deed, gal ?” 

“ I saw it, and was sorry it happened, Deerslayer ; for 
I hoped you wouldn’t have returned blow for blow, but 
good for evil.” 

“ Ah, Hetty, that may do among the missionaries, but 
’twould make an uncertain life in the woods. The Pan- 
ther craved my blood, and he was foolish enough to throw 
arms into my hands at the very moment he was striving 
a’ter it. ’Twould have been a’gin natur’ not to raise a 
hand in such a trial, and ’twould have done discredit to 
my training and gifts. No, no ; I’m as willing to give 
every man his own as another ; and so I hope you’ll tes- 
tify to them that will be likely to question you as to what 
you’ve seen this day.” 

“ Deerslayer, do you mean to marry Sumach, now she 
has neither husband nor brother to feed her ? ” 

“Are such your idees of matrimony, Hetty? Ought 
the young to wive with the old — the pale-face with the 
red-skin — the Christian with the heathen ? It’s ag’in rea- 
son and natur’, and so you’ll see if you think of it a mo- 
ment.” 

“I’ve always heard mother say,” returned Hetty, avert- 
ing her face, more from a feminine instinct than from any 
consciousness of wrong, “ that people should never marry 
until they loved each other better than brothers and sis- 
ters ; and I suppose that is what you mean. Sumach is 
old and you are young.” 

“ Ay, and she’s red and I’m white. Besides, Hetty, 
suppose you was a wife, now, having married some young 
man of your own years, and state, and color — Hurry 
Harry, for instance ” — Deerslayer selected this example, 
simply from the circumstance that he was the only young 
man known to both — “ and that he had fallen on a war- 
path, would you wish to take to your bosom, for a hus- 
band, the man that slew him ? ” 

“ Oh ! no, no, no,” returned the girl, shuddering. “ That 
would be wicked, as well as heartless ? No Christian girl 
could or would do that. I never shall be the wife of 
Hurry, I know ; but were he my husband, no man should 
ever be it again after his death.” 

“ I thought it would get to this, Hetty, when you came 


478 


THR DEERSLAYER. 


to understand sarcumstances. ’Tis a moral impossibility 
that I should ever marry Sumach ; and though Injin wed- 
din’s have no priests, and not much religion, a white man, 
who knows his gifts and duties, can’t profit by that, and so 
make his escape at the fitting time. I do think death 
would be more nat’ral like, and welcome, than wedlock 
with this woman.” 

“Don’t say it too loud,” interrupted Hetty, impatiently; 
“ I suppose she will not like to hear it. I’m sure Harry 
would marry even me, sooner than suffer torments, though 
I a??i feeble-minded ; and I am sure it would kill me to 
think he’d prefer death to being my husband.” 

“Ay, gal ; you ain’t Sumach, but a comely young Chris- 
tian, with a good heart, pleasant smile, and kind eye. 
Hurry might be proud to get you, and that, too, not in 
misery and sorrow, but in his best and happiest days. 
However, take my advice, and never talk to Hurry about 
these things ; he’s only a borderer, at the best. 

“ I wouldn’t tell him for the world ! ” exclaimed the girl, 
looking about her like one affrighted, and blushing she 
knew not why. “Mother always said young women 
shouldn’t be forward, and speak their minds before they’re 
asked ; oh ! I never forget what mother told me. ’Tis a 
pity Hurry is so handsome, Deerslayer ; I do think fewer 
girls would like him then, and he would sooner know his 
own- mind.” 

“ Poor gal, poor gal, it’s plain enough how it is ; but 
the Lord will bear in mind one of your simple heart and 
kind feelin’s ! We’ll talk no more of these things ; if you 
had reason, you’d be sorrowful at having let others so 
much into your secret. Tell me, Hetty, what has become 
of all the Hurons, and why they let you roam about the 
p’int, as if you, too, were a prisoner ?” 

“ I’m no prisoner, Deerslayer, but a free girl, and go 
when and where I please. Nobody dare hurt me! If they 
did, God would be angry — as I can show them in the 
Bible. No — no — Hetty Hutter is not afraid ; she's in 
good hands. The Hurons are up yonder in the woods, 
and keep a good watch on us both, I’ll answer for it, since 
all the women and children are on the lookout. Some 
are burying the body of the poor girl who was shot, so 
that the enemy and the wild beasts can’t find it. I told 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


479 


’em that father and mother lay in the lake, but I wouldn’t 
let them know in what part of it, for Judith and I don’t 
want any of their heathenish company in our burying 
ground.” 

“Ah’s me ! Well, it is an awful despatch to be standing 
here, alive and angry, and with the feelin’s up and furious 
one hour, and then to be carried away at the next, and 
put out of sight of mankind in a hole in the ’arth. No 
one knows what will happen to him on a war-path, that’s 
sartain.” 

Here the stirring of leaves and the cracking of dried* 
twigs interrupted the discourse, and apprised Deo lyer 
of the approach of his enemies. The Hurons ' >sed 
around the spot that had been prepared for the < . ning 
scene, and in the centre of which the intended vict now 
stood, in a circle — the armed men bein$x bO disi buted 
among the feebler members of the ' ’-hat there was 
no safe opening through which t’ oner could break. 

But the latter no longer cont<=‘; .*ted flight ; the recent 
trial having satisfied him o'" i :s mability to escape, when 
pursued so closely by r u .ic o. On the contrary, all his 
energies were arouse ' er to meet his expected fate 

with a calmness t’ ..id do credit to his color and his 

manhood ; one eo . lemoved from recreant alarm and 
savage boastin'' . - 

When Rivc reappeared in the circle, he occupied 
his old place ^ ‘ ^.^e head of the area. Several of the elder 
warrior^ s ■’ near him ; but, now that the brother of 
Sumach .alien, there was no longer any recognized 
chief whose influence and authority offered a dan- 

gerou T' .ry to his own. Nevertheless, it is well known 
that h vvhich could be called monarchical or despotic 
enU . . ito the politics of the North-American tribes, 
alt' the first colonists, bringing with them to this 

lu phere the notions and opinions of their own coun- 
i- '.often dignified the chief men of those primitive 
. ons with the titles of kings and princes. Hereditary 
^ , [itence did certainly exist ; but there is much reason to 

i .eve that it existed rather as a consequence of heredi- 
/ merit and acquired qualifications than as a birth- 
ht. Rivenoak, however, had not even this claim — 

1 'ving risen to consideration purely by the force of 


480 


THE DEEKSLAYER. 


talents, sagacity, and, as Bacon expresses it, in relation to 
all distinguished statesmen, “by a union of great and 
mean qualities a truth of which the career of the pro- 
found Englishman himself furnishes so apt an illustration. 

Next to arms, eloquence offers the great avenue to 
popular favor, whether it be in civilized or savage life ; 
and Rivenoak had succeeded, as so many have succeeded 
before him, quite as much by rendering fallacies accept- 
able to his listeners as by any profound or learned 
exp. tions of truth, or the accuracy of his logic. Never- 
thef- he had influence, and was far from being alto- 
getht - without just claims to its possession. Like most 
men who reason more than they feel, the Huron was not 
addicted ^’O the indulgence of the mere ferocious passions 
of his p : ; ' he had been commonly found on the side 
of mercv,- ' ; -he scenes of vindictive torture and 

revenge that ha awred in his tribe since his own at- 
tainment to power* the present occasion, he was 

reluctant to proceed to ■ = 0 dties, although the provoca- 

tion was so great; still u '• ’ed his ingenuity to see 
how that alternative could • n ' • '^voided. Sumach re- 
sented her rejection more the. 1 s d the deaths of her 
husband and brother, and there \v ' • ‘ probability that 

the woman would pardon a man . ‘ d so unequivo- 
cally preferred death to her embrace i bout lier for- 
giveness, there was scarce a hope that the he could be 
induced to overlook its loss ; and even >• ■ ■'oak him- 

self, much as he was disposed to pardon, r ' . e of ‘our 
hero now appeared to be almost hopelessly -v. - • i. 

When the whole band was arrayed arounu - h ■. tive, 
a grave silence, so much the more threatening. ' its 
profound quiet, pervaded the place. Deerslayer p' ‘ .^ed 
that the women and boys had been preparing spli; : of 

the fat pj.ne-roots, which he well knew were to be ' uck 
into his flesh and set in flames, while two or three e 
young men held the thongs of bark with which he ^ 

be bound. The smoke of a distant fire announced 
the burning brands were in preparation, and several of 
elder warriors passed their fingers over the edges of tl 
tomahawks, as if to prove their keenness and temp . 
Even the knives seemed loosened in their sheaths, impa - 
tient for the bloody and merciless work to'begin. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


48 


“ Killer of the Deer ” — recommenced Rivenoak, certainly 
without any signs of sympathy or pity in his manner, 
though with calmness and dignity — “Killer of the Deer, 
^it is time that my people knew their minds. The sun is 
no longer over our heads ; tired of waiting on the Hurons, 
Jie has begun to fall near the pines on this side of tlie val- 
ley. He is travelling fast toward the country of our 
French fathers ; it is to warn his children that their lodges 
are empty, and that they ought to be at home. The roam- 
ing wolf has his den, and he goes to it when he wishes to 
‘^■ee his young. The Iroquois are not poorer than the 
wolves. They have villages, and wigwams, and fields of 
corn ; the good spirits will be tired of watching them 
alone. My people must go back and see to their own 
business. There will be joy in the lodges when they hear 
our whoop from the forest ! It will be a sorrowful whoop ; 
when it is understood, grief will come after it. There will 
be one scalp-whoop, but th^^re will be only one. We have 
the fur of the Muskrat ; his body is among the fishes. 
Deerslayer must say whether another scalp shall be on our 
pole. Two lodges are empty ; a scalp, living or dead, is 
wanted at each door.” 

“ Then take ’em dead, Huron,” firmly, but altogether 
witliout dramatic boasting, returned the captive. “ My 
liour is come, I do suppose ; and what must be, must. If 
you are bent on the tortur’. I’ll do my indivors to bear up 
ag’ir it, though no man can say how far his natur’ wifi 
stand pain, until he’s been tried.” 

“ Tlie pale-faced cur begins to put his tail between his 
legs ! ” cried a young and garrulous savage, who bore the 
appropriate title of the Corbeau Rouge — a sobriquet he had 
gained from tke French, by his facility in making unseason- 
able noises, and an undue tendency to hear liis own voice 
— “he is no warrior ; he has killed the Loup Cervier when 
looking behind him not to see the flash of his own rifle. 
He grunts like a hog, already ; when the Huron women 
begin to torment him, he will cry like the young of the 
catamount. He is a Delaware, woman, dressed in the skin 
of a Yengeese ! ” 

“ Have your say, young man ; have your say,” returned 
Deerslayer, unmoved ; “ you know no better, and 1 can 
'fcrlook it Talking may aggravate ^vomen, but can 

31 


4S2 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


hardly make knives sharper, fire hotter, or rifles more 
sartain.” 

Rivenoak now interfered, reproving the Red Crow for 
his premature interference, and then directing the proper 
persons to bind the captive. This expedient was adopted, 
not from any apprehension that he would escape, or from 
any necessity, that was yet apparent, of his being unable 
to endure the torture with his limbs free, but from an in- 
genious design of making him feel his helplessness, and 
of gradually sapping his resolution, by undermining it, as 
it might be, little by little. 

Deerslayer offered no resistance. He submitted his 
arms and legs, freely if not cheerfully, to the ligaments bf 
bark, which were bound around them, by order of the 
chief, in a way to produce as little pain as possible. These 
directions were secret, and given in a hope that the cap- 
tive would finally save himself from any serious bodily 
suffering by consenting to take the Sumach for a wife. 
As soon as the body of Deerslayer was withed in bark 
sufficiently to create a lively sense of helplessness, he was 
literally carried to a young tree, and bound against it, in 
a way that effectually prevented him from moving, as well 
as from falling. The hands were laid flat against the legs, 
and thongs were passed over all, in a w’ay nearly to incor- 
porate the prisoner with the tree. His cap was then re- 
moved, and he was left half-standing, half-sustained by his 
bonds, to face the coming scene in the best manner he 
could. 

Previously to proceeding to anything like extremities, 
it was the wish of Rivenoak to put his captive’s resolu- 
tion to the proof, by renewing the attempt at a compro- 
mise. This could be effected only in one manner, the ac- 
quiescence of the Sumach being indispensably necessary 
to a compromise of her right to be revenged. With this 
view, then, the woman was next desired to advance, and 
to look to her own interest ; no agent being considered as 
efficieDt as the principal herself in this negotiation. The 
Indian females, when girls, are usually mild and submis- 
sive, with musical tones, pleasant voices, and merry laughs ; 
but toil and suffering generally deprive them of most of 
these advantages by the time they have reached an age 
which the Sumach had long before passed. To render 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


483 


their voices harsli, it would seem to require active, malig- 
nant passions, though, when excited, their screams can 
rise to a sufficiently conspicuous degree of discordancy to 
assert their claim to possess thjs distinctive peculiarity of 
the sex. Tlie Sumach was not altogether without fem- 
inine attraction, however, and had so recently been deemed 
handsome in her tribe as not to have yet learned the full 
inhuence that time and exposure produce on man as well 
as on woman. By an arrangement of Rivenoak’s, some of 
the women around her had been employing the time in 
endeavoring to persuade the bereaved widow that there 
was still a hope Deerslayer might be prevailed on to 
enter her wigwam, in preference to entering the world of 
spirits, and this, too, with a success that previous symptoms 
scarcely justified. All this was the result of a resolution 
on the part of the chief to leave no proper means unem- 
ployed in order to get the greatest hunter that was then 
thought to exist in all that region transferred to his own 
nation, as well as a husband for a woman who he felt 
would be likely to be troublesome, were any of her claims 
to the attention and care of the tribe overlooked. 

In conformity with this scheme, the Sumach had been 
secretly advised to advance into the circle, and to make 
her appeal to the prisoner’s sense of justice before the 
band had recourse to the last experiment. The woman, 
nothing loath, consented ; for there was some such attrac- 
tion, in becoming the wife of a noted hunter, among the fe- 
males of the tribes, as is experienced by the sex in more 
refined life when they bestow their hands on the affluent. 
As the duties of a mother were thought to be paramount to 
all other considerations, the widow felt none of that embar- 
rassment in preferring her claims to which even a female 
fortune-hunter among ourselves might be liable. When 
she stood forth before the whole party, therefore, the 
children that she led by the hand fully justified all she 
did. 

“You see me before you, cruel pale-face,” the woman 
commenced ; “your spirit must tell you my errand. I 
have ionnd you ; I cannot find Le Loup Cervier, nor the 
Panther ; I have looked for them in the lake, in the woods, 
in the clouds. I cannot say where they have gone.” 

“No man knows, good Sumach, no man knows,” inter-*, 


484 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


posed the captive. “When the spirit leaves the body it 
passes into a world beyond our knowledge, and the wisest 
way for them that are left behind is to hope for the best. 
No doubt both your warriors have gone to the happy hunt- 
ing-grounds, and at the proper time you will see ’em ag’in 
in their improved state. The wife and sister of braves 
must have looked forward to some such tarmination of 
their 'arthly careers.” 

“ Cruel pale-face, what had my warriors done that you 
should slay them ? They were the best hunters and the 
boldest young men of their tribe ; the Great Spirit in- 
tended that they should live until they withered like the 
branches of the hemlock, and fell of their own weight.” 

“Nay, nay, good Sumach,” interrupted the Deerslayer, 
whose love of truth was too indomitable to listen to sucli 
hyperbole with patience, even though it came from the 
torn breast of a widow — “ nay, nay, good Sumach, this is 
a little outdoing red-skin privileges. Young man was 
neither, any more than you can be called a young woman ; 
and, as to the Great Spirit’s intending that they should 
fall otherwise than they did, that’s a grievous mistake, 
inasmuch as what the Great Spirit intends is sartain to 
come to pass. Then, ag’in, it’s plain enough neither of 
your fri’nds did me any harm ; 1 raised my hand ag’in ’em 
on account of what they were striving to do, rather than 
what they did. This is nat’ral law, ‘ to do, lest you should 
be done by.’ ” 

“It is so. Sumach has but one tongue ; she can tell 
but one story. The pale-face struck the Hurons, lest the 
Hurons should strike him. The Hurons are a just nation ; 
they will forget it. The chiefs will shut their eyes, and 
pretend not to have seen it. The young men will believe 
the Panther and the Lynx have gone to far-off hunts ; and 
the Sumach will take her children by the hand, and go 
into the lodge of the pale-face, and say, ‘ See ; these are 
your children — they are also mine ; feed us, and we will 
live with you.’ ” 

“ The tarms are onadmissible, woman ; and, though I 
feel for your losses, which must be hard to bear, the tarms 
cannot be accepted. As to givin’ you ven’son, in case Ave 
lived near enough together, that would be no great ex- 
pl’ite ; but as for becomin’ your husband, and the father 


THE DEERSLAYER. 4S5 

of your children, to be honest with you, I leel no callin’ 
that a-way.” 

“Look at this boy, cruel pale-face ; he has no father to 
teach him to kill the deer, or to take scalps. See this 
girl ; Avhat young man will come to look for a wife in a 
lodge that has no head ? There are more among my peo- 
ple in the Canadas, and the Killer of Deer will find as 
many mouths to feed as his heart can wish for.” 

“ I tell you, woman,” exclaimed Deerslayer, whose im- 
agination was far from seconding the appeal of the widow, 
and who began to grow restive under the vivid pictures 
she was drawing, “ all this is nothing to me. People and 
kindred must take care of their own fatherless, leaving 
them that have no children to their own loneliness. As 
for me, I have no offspring, and I want no wife. Now, go 
away. Sumach ; leave me in the hands of your chiefs ; for 
my color and gifts, and natur’ itself, cry out ag’in the idee 
of taking you for a wife.” 

It is unnecessary to expatiate on the effect of this down- 
right refusal of the woman’s proposals. If there was any- 
thing like tenderness in her bosom — and no woman was 
probably ever entirely without that feminine quality — it 
all disappeared at this plain announcement. Fury, rage, 
mortified pride, and a volcano of wrath, burst out at one 
explosion, converting her into a sort of maniac, as it 
might be at the touch of a magician’s wand. Without 
deigning a reply in words, she made the arches of the 
forest ring with screams, and then flew forward at her 
victim, seizing him by the hair, which she appeared reso- 
lute to draw out by the roots. It was some time before 
her grasp could be loosened. Fortunately for the pris- 
oner, her rage was blind, since his total helplessness left 
him entirely at her mercy ; had it been better directed, it 
might have proved fatal before any relief could have been 
offered. As it was, she did succeed in wrenching out two 
or three handfuls of hair, before the young men could 
tear her away from her victim. 

The insult that had been offered to the Sumach was 
deemed an insult to the whole tribe ; not so much, how- 
ever, on account of any respect that was felt for the woman 
as on account of the honor of the Huron nation. Sumach, 
herself, was generally considered to be as acid as the berry 


486 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


from which she derived her name ; and now that her great 
supporters, her husband and brother, were both gone, few 
cared about concealing their aversion. Nevertheless, it 
had become a point of honor to punish the pale-face who 
disdained a Huron woman, and, more particularly, one 
who coolly preferred death to relieving the tribe from the 
support of a widow and her children. The young men 
showed an impatience to begin to torture, that Rivenoak 
understood ; and, as his elder associates manifested no dis- 
position to permit any longer delay, he was compelled to 
give the signal for the infernal work to proceed. 


CHAPTER XXIX. 


The ugly bear now minded not the stake, 

Nor how the cruel mastiffs do him tear ; 

The stag lay still, unroused from the brake, 

The foamy boar feared not the hunter’s spear ; 

All thing was still in desert, bush, and brier.” 

— Lord Dorset. 

It was one of the common expedients of the savages, on 
such occasions, to put the nerves of their victims to the 
severest proofs. On the other hand, it was a matter of 
Indian pride to betray no yielding to terror or pain ; but 
for the prisoner to provoke his enemies to such acts of 
violence as would soonest produce death. Many a war- 
rior had been known to bring his own sufferings to a more 
speedy termination, by taunting reproaches and reviling 
language, when he 'found that his physical system was 
giving way under the agony of sufferings, produced by a 
hellish ingenuity that might well eclipse all that has been 
said of the infernal devices of religious persecution. This 
happy expedient of taking refuge from the ferocity of his 
foes in their passions was denied Deerslayer, however, by 
his peculiar notions of the duty of a white man ; and he 
had stoutly made up his mind to endure everything, in 
preference to disgracing his color. 

No sooner did the young men understand that they were 
at liberty to commence, than some of the boldest and 
most forward among them sprang into the arena, toma- 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


487 


hawk in hand. Here they prepared to throw that danger- 
ous weapon, the object being to strike the tree as near as 
possible to the victim’s head, without absolutely hitting 
him. This was so hazardous an experiment that none 
but those who were known to be exceedingly expert with 
the weapon were allowed to enter the list at all, lest an 
early death might interfere with the expected entertain- 
ment. In the truest hands, it was seldom that the captive 
escaped injury in these trials; and it often happened that 
death followed, even when the blow was not premeditated. 
In the particular case of our hero, Rivenoak and the older 
warriors were apprehensive that the example of the Pan- 
ther’s fate might prove a motive, with some fiery spirit, 
suddenly to sacrifice his conqueror, when the temptation of 
effecting it in precisely the same manner, and possibly 
with the identical weapon with which the warrior had fall- 
en, offered. This circumstance of itself rendered the or- 
deal of the tomahawk doubly critical for the Deerslayer. 

It would seem, however, that all who now entered wliat 
we shall call the lists, were more disposed to exhibit their 
own dexterity than to resent the deaths of their comrades. 
Each prepared himself for the trial with the feelings of 
rivalry, rather than with the desire for vengeance ; and, 
for the first few minutes, the prisoner had little more con- 
nection with the result than grew out of the interest that 
necessarily attached itself to a living target. The young 
men were eager instead of being fierce, and Rivenoak 
thought he still saw signs of being able to save the life of 
the captive, when the vanity of the young men had been 
gratified ; always admitting that it was not sacrificed to 
the delicate experiments that were about to be made. 

The first youth who presented himself for the trial was 
called the Raven, having as. yet had no opportunity of ob- 
taining a more warlike sobriquet. He was remarkable for 
high pretension rather than for skill or exploits ; and those 
who knew his character thought the captive in imminent 
danger when he took his stand and poised the tomahawk. 
Nevertheless, the young man was good-natured, and no 
thought was uppermost in his mind, other than the desire 
to make a better cast than any of his fellows. Deerslayer 
gO'. 1 inkling of this warrior’s want of reputation, by the 
in Lions that he had received from the seniors ; who, 


488 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


indeed, would have objected to his appearing in the arena 
at ail, but for an influence derived from his father, an aged 
warrior of great merit, who was then in the lodges of the 
tribe. Still, our hero maintained an appearance of self- 
possession. He had made up his mind that his hour was 
come, and it would have been a mercy, instead of a calam- 
ity, to fall by the unsteadiness of the first hand that was 
raised against him. After a suitable number of flourishes 
and gesticulations, that promised much more than he 
could perform, the Raven let the tomahawk quit his hand. 
The weapon whirled through the air, with the usual evo- 
lutions, cut a chip from the sapling to which the prisoner 
was bound, within a few inches of his cheek, and stuck in 
a large oak that grew several yards behind him. This was 
decidedly a bad effort, and a common sneer proclaimed as 
much, to the great mortification of the young man. On 
the other hand, there was a general but suppressed mur- 
mur of admiration at the steadiness with which the captive 
stood the trial. The head was the only part he could 
move, and this had been purposely left free, that the tor- 
mentors might have the amusement, and the tormented 
endure the shame, of dodging, and otherwise attempting 
to avoid the blows. Deerslayer disappointed these hopes, 
by a command of nerve that rendered his whole body as 
immovable as the tree to which he was bound. Nor did 
he even adopt the natural and usual expedient of shutting 
his eyes ; the firmest and oldest warrior of the red men 
never having more disdainfully denied himself this ad- 
vantage, under similar circumstances. 

The Raven had no sooner made his unsuccessful and 
puerile effort, than he was succeeded by le Daim-Mose, or 
the Moose ; a middle-aged warrior, who was particularly 
skilful in the use of the tomahawk, and from whose at- 
tempt the spectators confidently looked for gratification. 
This man had none of the good-nature of the Raven, but 
he would gladly have sacrificed the captive to his hatred 
of the pale-faces generally, were it not for the greater in- 
terest he felt in his own success as one particularly skilful 
in the use of this weapon. He took his stand quietly, but 
with an air of confidence, poised his little axe but a single 
instant, advanced a foot with a quick motion, and threw. 
Deerslayer saw the keen instrument whirling toward him, 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


4S9 

and believed all was over ; still he was not touched. The 
tomahawk had actually bound the head of the captive to 
the tree, by carrying before it some of his hair ; having 
buried itself deep beneath the soft bark. A general yell 
expressed the delight of the spectators, and the Moose felt 
his heart soften a little toward the prisoner, whose steadi- 
ness of nerve alone enabled him to give this evidence of 
his consummate skill. 

Le Dairn-Mose was succeeded by the Bounding Boy, or 
le Gar con qui Bondi^ who came leaping into the circle like 
a hound or a goat at play. This was one of those elastic 
youths whose muscles seemed always in motion, and who 
either affected, or who from habit was actually unable to 
move in any other manner, than by showing the antics 
just mentioned. Nevertheless, he was both brave and skil- 
ful, and had gained the respect of his people by deeds in 
war as well as success in the hunts. A far nobler name 
would long since have fallen to his share, had not a French- 
man of rank inadvertently given him this sobriquet^ which 
he religiously preserved as coming from his great father, 
who lived beyond the wide salt lake. The Bounding Boy 
skipped about in front of the captive, menacing him with 
his tomahawk, now on one side, now on another, and then 
again in front, in the vain hope of being able to extort some 
sign of fear by this parade of danger. At length Deer- 
slayer’s patience became exhausted by all this mummery, 
and he spoke for the first time since the trial had co’m- 
menced. 

“Throw away, Huron!” he cried, “or your tomahawk 
will forget it’s ar’n’d. Why do you keep loping about like 
a fa’an that’s showing its dam how well it can skip, when 
you’re a warrior grown, yourself, and a warrior grown de- 
fies you and all your silly antics ? Throw, or the Huron 
gals will laugh in your face.” 

Although not intended to produce such an effect, the 
last words aroused the “ Bounding ” warrior to fury. The 
same nervous excitability which rendered him so active in 
his person made it difficult to repress his feelings, and the 
words were scarcely past the lips of the speaker, than the 
tomahawk left the hand of the Indian. Nor was it cast 
without good-will, and a fierce determination to slay. Had 
the intention been less deadly, the danger mi^ht have been 


490 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


greater. The aim was uncertain, and the weapon glanced 
near the cheek of the captive, slightly cutting the shoulder 
in its evolutions. This was the first instance in which any 
other object than that of terrifying the prisoner, and of 
displaying skill, had been manifested ; and the Bounding 
Boy was immediately led from the arena, and warmly re- 
buked for his intemperate haste, which had come so near 
defeating all the hopes of the band. 

To this irritable person succeeded several other young 
warriors, who not only hurled the tomahawk, but who cast 
the knife, a far more dangerous experiment, with reckless 
indifference ; yet they always manifested a skill that pre- 
vented any injury to the captive. Several times Deerslayer 
was grazed, but in no instance did he receive what might 
be termed a wound. The unflinching firmness with which 
he faced his assailants, more especially in the sort of rally 
with whicli this trial terminated, excited a profound re- 
spect in the spectators ; and when the chiefs announced 
that the prisoner had well withstood the trials of the knife 
and the tomahawk, there was not a single individual in 
the band who really felt any hostility toward him, with the 
exception of Sumach and the Bounding Boy. These two 
discontented spirits got together, it is true, feeding each 
other’s ire ; but, as yet, their malignant feelings were con- 
fined very much to themselves, though there existed the 
danger that the others, erelong, could not fail to be ex- 
cised by their own efforts into that demoniacal state which 
usually accompanied all similar scenes among the red men. 

Rivenoak now told his people that the pale-face had 
proved himself to be a man. He might live with the Del- 
awares, but he had not been made woman with that tribe. 
He wished to know whether it was the desire of the Hurons 
to proceed any further. Even the gentlest of the females, 
however, had received too much satisfaction in the late 
trials to forego their expectations of a gratifying exhibi- 
tion ; and there was but one voice in the request to pro- 
ceed. The politic chief, who 'had some such desire to re- 
ceive so celebrated a hunter into his tribe as a European 
minister has to devise a new and available means of taxa- 
tion, sought every plausible means of arresting the trial 
in season ; for he well knew, if permitted to go fai* enough 
to arouse the more ferocious passions of the tormentors, it 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


491 


would be as easy to dam the waters of the great lakes of 
his own region as to attempt to arrest them in their bloody 
career. He therefore called four or five of the best marks- 
men to him, and bade them put the captive to the proof of 
the rifle, while, at the same time, he cautioned them touch- 
ing the necessity of their maintaining their own credit, by 
the closest attention to the manner of exhibiting their 
skill. 

When Deerslayer saw the chosen warriors step into the 
circle, with their arms prepared for service, he felt some 
such relief as the miserable sufferer, who has long endured 
the agonies of disease, feels at the certain approach of 
death. Any trifling variance in the aim of this formidable 
weapon would prove fatal ; since, the head being the tar- 
get, or rather the point it was desired to graze without in- 
jury, an inch or two of difference in the line of projection 
must at once determine the question of life or death. 

In the torture by the rifle, there was none of the latitude 
permitted that appeared in the case of even Gessler’s apple, 
a hair’s-breadth being, in fact, the utmost limits that an 
expert marksman would allow himself on an occasion like 
this. Victims were frequently shot through the head by too 
eager or unskilful hands ; and it often occurred that, ex- 
asperated by the fortitude and taunts of the prisoner, death 
was dealt intentionally in a moment of ungovernable irri- 
tation. All this Deerslayer well knew, for it was in relat- 
ing the traditions of such scenes, as well as of the battles 
and victories of their people, that the old men beguiled 
the long winter evenings in their cabins. He now fully 
expected the end of his career, and experienced a sort of 
melancholy pleasure in the idea that he was to fall by a 
veapon as much beloved as the rifle. A slight interruption, 
however, took place before the business was allowed to 
proceed. 

Hetty Hutter witnessed all that passed, and the scene at 
first had pressed upon her feeble mind in away to paralyze 
it entirely ; but by this time she had rallied, and was grow- 
ing indignant at the unmerited suffering the Indians were 
inflicting on her friend. Though timid and shy as the 
young of the deer, on so many occasions, this right-feeling 
girl was always intrepid in the cause of humanity ; the 
lessons of her mother, and the impulses of her own heart 


492 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


— perhaps we might say the promptings of that unseen and 
pure spirit that seemed ever to watch over and direct her 
actions — uniting to keep down the apprehensions of wom- 
an, and to impel her to be bold and resolute. She now 
appeared in the circle, gentle, feminine, even bashful in 
mien, as usual, but earnest in her words and countenance, 
speaking like one who knew herself to be sustained by the 
high authority of God. 

“Why do you torment Deerslayer, red men ?” she asked. 
“What has he done that you trifle with his life ; who has 
given you the right to be his judges ? Suppose one of 
your knives or tomahawks had hit him ; what Indian 
among you all could cure the wound you would make ? 
Besides, in harming Deerslayer, you injure your own 
friend ; when father and Hurry Harry came after your 
scalps, he refused to be of the party, and stayed in the 
canoe by himself. You are tormenting your friend, in tor- 
menting this young man !” 

The Hurons listened with grave attention, and one 
among them, who understood English, translated what 
had been said into their native tongue. As soon as Riven- 
oak was made acquainted with the purport of her address, 
he answered it in his own dialect, the interpreter convey- 
ing it to the girl in English. 

“ My daughter is very welcome to speak,” said the stern 
old orator, using gentle intonations, and smiling as kindly 
as if addressing a child — “the Hurons are glad to hear her 
voice ; they listen to what she says. The Great Spirit 
often speaks to men with such tongues. This time her 
eyes have not been open wide enough to see all that has 
happened. Deerslayer did not come for our scalps, that 
is true ; why did he not come ? Here they are on our 
heads ; the war-locks are ready to be taken hold of ; a bold 
enemy ought to stretch out his hand to seize them. The 
Iroquois are too great a nation to punish men that take 
scalps. What they do themselves, they like to see others 
do. Let my daughter look around her and count my 
warriors. Had 1 as many hands as four warriors, their 
fingers would be fewer than my people, when they came 
into your hunting-grounds. Now, a whole hand is missing. 
Where are the fingers ? Two have been cut off by this 
pale-face ; my Hurons wish to see if he did this by m -ns 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


493 


of a stout heart, or by treacliery ; like a skulking fox, or 
a leaping panther.” 

“You know yourself, Huron, how one of them fell. I 
saw it, and you all saw it, too. ’Twas too bloody to look 
at ; but it was not Deerslayer’s fault. Your warrior 
sought his life, and he defended himself. I don’t know 
whether the good book says that it was right, but all men 
will do that. Come, if you want to know which of you 
can shoot best, give Deerslayer a rifle, and then you will 
find how much more expert he is than any of your war- 
riors ; yes, than all of them together ! ” 

Could one have looked upon such a scene with indiffer- 
ence, he would have been amused at the gravity with 
which the savages listened to the translation of this un- 
usual request. Nc taunt, no smile, mingled with their 
surprise; for Heity had a character and a manner too 
saintly to subject he - infirmity to the mockings of the rude 
and ferocious. On v .e contrary, she was answered with 
respectful attention 

“My daughter does not always talk like a chief at a 
council-fire,” returnee ’ ''=‘noak, “or she would not, c. 
said this. Two of m]y , ors ^'ave fallen bj'thc b ow: 
our prisoner; their grave is loo small to ho: ’ ■: ihird. 
The Hurons do not like to-crov ’ il cir dead. If ^ is 
another spirit about to .Set out for the far-off world, it 
must not be the spirit of a Huron ; it must be the spirit 
of a pale-face. Go, daughter, and sit by Sumach, who is 
in grief ; let the Hur >n warriors show how well they can 
shoot ; let the pale-fac e' show how little he cares for their 
bullets.” 

Hetty’s mind was ui ;? al to a sustained discussion, and, 
accustomed to defer to th(^ directions of her seniors, she 
did as told, seating nersCf passively on a log by the side 
of the Sumach, and .. verting her face from the painful 
scene that was curring within the circle. 

The warrior c as soon as this interruption had ceased, 
resumed their places, and again prepared to exhibit their 
r’’ id, as there was a double object in view, that of putting 
the constancy of the captive to the proof, and that of 
showing how steady were the hands of the marksmen 
under circumstances of excitement. The distance was 
small, and, in one sense, safe. But, in diminishing the 


494 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


distance taken by the tormentors, the trial to the nerves 
of the captive was essentially increased. The face of Deer- 
slayer, indeed, was just removed sufficiently from the ends 
of the guns to escape the effects of the flash, and his 
steady eye was enabled to look directly into their muzzles, 
as it might be, in anticipation of the fatal messenger that 
was to issue from each. The cunning Hurons well knew 
this fact ; and scarce one levelled his piece without first 
causing it to point as near as possible at the forehead of the 
prisoner, in the hope that his fortitude would fail him, and 
that the band would enjoy the triumph of seeing a victim 
quail under their ingenious cruelty. Nevertheless, each 
of the competitors was still careful not to injure ; the dis- 
grace of striking prematurely being second only to that 
of failing altogether in attaining the object. Shot after 
shot was made ; all the builets coming in close proximity 
to the Deerslayer’s head without touching it. Still no 
one could detect even the twitching cf a muscle on the part 
of the captive, or the slightest winking of an eye. This 
indomitable resolution, which so much exceeded everything 
(T* its kind that any present had before witnessed, might 
be i - :Vr cd t-a three distinct causes. The first was resigna- 
iion • I.’.’ Jatc, blended with natural steadiness of deport- 
ment : fCr our hcio had calmly made up his mind that he 
must die, and preferred this mode to any other ; the sec- 
ond was his great familiarity with this particular weapon, 
which deprived it of ah ihe terror that is usually con- 
nected with the mere foi in of the danger ; and the third 
was this familiarity carried out in practice to a degree so 
nice as to enable the intended victim to tell, within an 
inch, the precise spot where ea.'h ^oillet must strike, for 
he calculated its range by looking in at the bore of the 
piece. So exact Avas Deerslayer's estimation of the line 
of fire, that his pride of feeling finally got the better of his 
resignation, and, when five or six had scharged their 
bullets into the tree, he could not ref. nii. : mi expressing 
his contempt at their want of hand and 

“You may call this shooting, Mingoes,”' he exJ'.imed. 
“but Ave’ve squaws among the Delawares, and I b:' 
known Dutch gals on the Mohawk that could onto 
your greatest indivors. Ondo these arms of mine, put 
rifle into my hands, and I’ll pin the thinnest war-lock 


THE DEP.RSLAVER. . 49 <;' 

your party to any tree you can show me ; and this at a 
hundred yards ; or at two hundred, if the object can be 
seen ; nineteen shots in twenty ; or, for that matter, 
twenty in twenty, if the piece is criditable and trusty ! 

A low, menacing murmur followed this cool taunt ; the 
fire of the warriors kindled at listening to such a reproach 
from one who had so far disdained their efforts as to refuse 
even to wink when a rifle was discharged as near his face 
as could be done without burning it. Rivenoak perceived 
the moment was critical, and still retaining his hope of 
adopting so noted a hunter into his tribe, the politic old 
chief interposed in time, probably, to prevent an imme- 
diate resort to that portion of the torture which must 
necessarily have produced death, through extreme bodily 
suffering, if in no other manner. Moving into the cen- 
tre of the irritated group, he addressed them with his usual 
wily logic and plausible manner, at once suppressing the 
fierce movement that had commenced. 

“ I see liow it is,” he said. “We have been like the 
pale-faces when they fasten their doors at night, out of 
fear of the red man. They use so many bars, that the fire 
comes and burns them before they can get out. We have 
bound the Deerslayer too tight ; the thongs keep his limbs 
from shaking and his eyes from shutting. Loosen him ; 
let us see what his own body is really made of.” 

It is often the case, when we are thwarted in acherislied 
scheme, that any expedient, however unlikely to succeed, 
is gladly resorted to, in preference to a total abandonment 
of the project. So it was with the Hurons. The proposal 
of the chief found instant favor ; and several hands were, 
immediately at work cutting and tearing the ropes of bark 
from the bod)’’ of our hero. In half a minute Deerslayer 
stood as free from bonds as when, an hour before, he had 
commenced his fight on the side of the mountain. Some 
little time was necessary that he should recover the use of 
his limbs, the circulation of the blood having been checked 
by the tightness of the ligatures ; and this was accorded 
to him by the politic Rivenoak, under the pretence that his 
body would be more likely to submit to apprehension, if 
its true tone were restored ; though really with a view to 
give time to the fierce passions which had been awakened 
in the bosoms of his young men, to subside. This ruse 


496 THE DEERSLAYER. 

succeeded : and Deerslayer, by rubbing his limbs, stamp- 
ing his feet, and moving about, soon regained the circula- 
tion, recovering all his physical powers as effectually as if 
nothing had occurred to disturb them. 

It is seldom men think of death in the pride of their 
health and strength. So it was with Deerslayer. Having 
been helplessly bound, and, as he had every reifton to 
suppose, so lately on the very verge of the other world, to 
find himself so unexpectedly liberated, in possession of his 
strength, and with a full command of limb, acted on him 
like a sudden restoration to life, reanimating hopes that he 
had once absolutely abandoned. From that instant all his 
plans changed. In this hd^imply obeyed a law of nature ; 
for, while we have wl^#d to represent our hero as being 
resigned to his fate, it has been far from our intention to 
represent him as anxious to die. From the instant that 
his buoyancy of feeling revived, his thoughts were keenly 
bent on the various projects that presented themselves as 
modes of evading the designs of his enemies ; and he again 
became the quick-witted, ingenious, and determined woods- 
man, alive to all his own powers and resources. The 
change was so great, that his mind resumed its elasticity; 
and, no longer thinking of submission, it dwelt only on the 
devices of the sort of w^arfare in which he was engaged. 

As soon as Deerslayer was released, the band divided 
itself in a circle around him, in order to hedge him in; 
and the desire to break down his spirit grew in them, pre- 
cisely as they saw proofs of the difficulty there would be 
in subduing it. The honor of the band was now involved 
in the issue ; and even the sex lost all its sympathy with 
suffering, in the desire to save the reputation of the tribe. 
The voices of the girls, soft and melodious as Nature had 
made them, were heard mingling with the menaces of the 
men ; and the wrongs of Sumach suddenly assumed the 
character of injuries inflicted on every Huron female. 
Yielding to this rising tumult, the men drew back a little, 
signifying to the females that they left the captive, for a 
time, in their hands ; it being a common practice, on such 
occasions, for the women to endeavor to throw the victim 
into a rage, by their taunts and revilings, and then to turn 
him suddenly over to the men, in a state of mind that was 
little favorable to resist the agony of bodily suffering. Nor 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


497 


was this party without the proper instruments for effecting 
such a purpose. Sumach had a notoriety as a scold ; and 
one or two crones, like the She Bear, had come out with 
the party, most probably as the conservatives of its decency 
and moral discipline ; such things occurring in savage as 
well as civilized life. It is unnecessary to repeat all that 
ferocity and ignorance could invent for such a purpose ; 
the only difference between this outbreaking of feminine 
anger, and a similar scene among ourselves, consisting in 
the figures of speech and the epithets ; the Huron women 
calling their prisoner by the names of the lower and least 
respected animals that were known to themselves. 

But Deerslayer’s mind was too much occupied to per- 
mit him to be disturbed by the abuse of excite/i hags ; and 
their rage necessarily increasing with his indifference, as 
his indifference increased with their rage, the furies soon 
rendered themselves impotent by their own excesses. 
Perceiving that the attempt was a complete failure, the 
warriors interfered to put a stop to this scene ; and this so 
much the more, because preparations were now seriousl)^ 
making for the commencement of the real tortures, or that 
which would put the fortitude of the sufferer to a test of 
severe bodily pain. A sudden and unlooked-for announcer 
ment, that proceeded from one of the look-outs, a boy ten 
or twelve years old, however, put a momentary check to 
the whole proceedings. As this interruption has a close 
connection with the detiofunent oi our story, it shall be given 
a separate chapter. 


CHAPTER XXX. 


“ So deem’ St thou — so each mortal deems 
Of that which is from that which seems ; 

But other harvest here 
Than that which peasant’s scythe demands. 

Was gathered in by sterner hands, 

With bayonet, blade, and spear.” — ScoTT. 

Tt exceeded Deerslayer’s power to ascertain what had 
, roduced tne sudden pause in the movements of his 
-•■«emies, until the fact was revealed in the due course of 
events. He perceived that much agitation pr>eyailed 
32 V P;. 


498 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


among the women in particular, while the warriors rested 
on their arms, in a sort of dignified expectation. It was 
plain no alarm was excited, though it was not equally 
apparent that a friendly occurrence produced the delay. 
Rivenoak was evidently apprised of all, and by a gesture 
of his arm he appeared to direct the circle to remain un- 
broken, and for each person to await the issue in the situ- 
ation he or she then occupied. It required but a minute 
or two to bring an explanation of this singular and mys- 
terious pause, which was soon terminated by the appear- 
ance of Judith, on the exterior of the line of bodies, and 
her ready admission within its circle. 

If Deerslayer was startled by this unexpected arrival, 
well knowing that the quick-witted girl could claim none 
of that exemption from the penalties of captivity that was 
so cheerfully accorded to her feeble-minded sister, he was 
equally astonished at the guise in which she came. All 
her ordinary forest attire, neat and becoming as this usu- 
ally was, had been laid aside for the brocade that has been 
already mentioned, and which had once before wrought so 
great and magical an effect in her appearance. Nor was 
this all. Accustomed to see the ladies of the garrison in 
the formal gala attire of the day, and familiar with the 
more critical niceties of these matters, the girl had man- 
aged to complete her dress in a way to leave nothing 
strikingly defective in its details, or even to betray an in- 
congruity that would have been detected by one practised 
in the mysteries of the toilet. Head, feet, arms, hands, 
bust, and drapery, were all in harmony, as female attire 
was then deemed attractive and harmonious ; and the end 
she aimed at, that of imposing on the uninstructed senses 
of the savages, by causing them to believe their guest was 
a woman of rank and importance, might well have suc- 
ceeded with those whose habits had taught them to dis- 
criminate between persons. Judith, in addition to her rare 
native beauty, had a singular grace of person, and her 
mother had imparted enough of her own deportment to 
prevent any striking or offensive vulgarity of manner ; so 
that, sooth to say, the gorgeous dress might have been 
worse- bestowed in nearly every particular. Had it bee’-Q 
displayed in a capital, a thousand might have worn it be- 
fore one could have been found to do more credit to i<^s 


THE DEEKSLAYER. 


499 


gay colors, glossy satins, and rich laces, than the beautiful 
creature whose person it now aided to adorn. 

The effect of such an apparition had not been mis- 
calculated. The instant Judith found herself within the 
circle, she was in a degree compensated for the fearful 
personal risk she ran, by the unequivocal sensation of sur- 
prise and admiration produced by her appearance. The 
grim old w^arriors uttered their favorite exclamation, 
“ Hugh ! ” The younger men w'ere still more sensibly 
overcome, and even the w^omen were not backw^ard in let- 
ting open manifestations of pleasure escape them. It was 
seldom that these untutored children of the forest had ever 
seen any w'hite females above the commonest sort, and, as 
to dress, never before had so much splendor shone before 
their eyes. The gayest uniforms of both French and Eng- 
lish seemed dull compared with the lustre of the brocade ; 
and, w^hile the rare personal beauty of the wearer added 
to the effect produced by its hues, the attire did not fail to 
adorn that beauty in a w^ay wdiich surpassed even the hopes 
of its w’earer. Deerslayer himself w^as astounded, and this 
quite as much by the brilliant picture the girl presented 
as at the indifference to consequences with which she had 
braved the danger of the step she had taken. Under such 
circumstances, all waited for the visitor to explain her ob- 
ject, w^hich to most of the spectators seemed as inexplica- 
ble as her appearance. 

“Which of these w^arriors is the principal chief ? ’' de- 
manded Judith of Deerslayer, as soon as she found it was 
expected that she should open the communication ; “ my 
errand is too important to be delivered to any of inferior 
rank. First explain to the Hurons what I say ; then give 
an answer to the question I have put.” 

Deerslayer quietly complied, his auditors greedily listen- 
ing to the interpretation of the first words that fell from 
so extraordinary a vision. The demand seemed perfectly 
in character for one w’ho had every appearance of an ex- 
alted rank herself. Rivenoak gave an appropriate reply, 
by presenting himself before his fair visitor in a w^ay to 
leave no doubt that he was entitled to all the consideration 
he claimed. 

“ I can believe this Huron,” said Judith, enacting her 
issumed part with a steadiness and dignity that did credit 


500 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


to her powers of imitation, for she strove to impart to her 
manner the condescending courtesy she had once observed 
in the wife of a general officer, at a similar, though a more 
amicable, scene — “ I can believe you to be the principal 
person of this party ; I see in your countenance the marks 
of thought and reflection. To you, then, I must make my 
communication.” 

“ Let the Flower of the Woods speak,” returned the old 
chief, courteously, as soon as her address had been trans- 
lated, so that all might understand it. “ If her words are 
as pleasant as her looks, they will never quit my ears ; I 
shall hear them long after the winter in Canada has killed 
the flowers, and frozen all the speeches of summer.” 

This admiration was grateful to one constituted- like 
Judith, and contributed to aid her self-possession quite as 
much as it fed her vanity. Smiling involuntarily, or in 
spite of her wish to seem reserued, she proceeded in her 
plot. 

“Now, Huron,” she continued, “listen to my words. 
Your eyes tell you that I am no common woman. I will 
not say I am queen of this country ; she is afar off, in a 
distant land ; but under our gracious monarch there are 
many degrees of rank ; one of these I fill. What that 
rank is precisely it is unnecessary for me to say, since you 
would not understand it. For that information you must 
trust your eyes. You see what I am ; you must feel that, 
in listening to my words, you listen to one who can be 
your friend or your enemy, as you treat her.” 

This was well uttered, with a due attention to manner and 
a steadiness of tone that was really surprising, considering 
all the circumstances of the case. It was well though sim- 
ply rendered into the Indian dialect, too, and it was re- 
ceived with a respect and gravity that augured favorably 
for the girl's success. But Indian thought is not easily 
traced to its sources. Judith waited with anxiety to hear 
the answer, filled with hope even while she doubted. 
Rivenoak was a ready speaker, and he answered as prompt- 
ly as comported with the notions of Indian decorum ; that 
peculiar people seeming to think a short delay respectful, 
inasmuch as it manifests that the words already heard have 
been duly weighed. 

“ My daughter is handsomer than the wild roses of On- 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


501 

lario ; her voice is pleasant to the ear as the song of the 
wren,” answered the cautious and wily chief, who of all 
the band, stood alone in not being fully imposed on by the 
magnificent and unusual appearance of Judith, but who 
distrusted even while he wondered; “the humming-bird 
is not much larger than the bee ; yet its feathers are as 
gay as the tail of the peacock. The Great Spirit sometimes 
puts very bright clothes on very little animals. Still, he 
covers the moose with coarse hair. These things are be- 
yond the understanding of poor Indians, who can only 
comprehend what they see and hear. No doubt my daugh- 
ter has a very large wigwam somewhere about the lak^e ; 
the Hurons have not found it on account of their igno- 
rance ! ” 

“ I have told you, chief, that it would be useless to state 
my rank and residence, inasmuch as you would not com- 
prehend them. You must trust to your eyes for this 
knowledge ; what red man is there that cannot see ? This 
blanket that I wear is not the blanket of a common squaw ; 
these ornaments are such as the wives and daughters of 
chiefs only appear in. Now listen and hear why I have 
come alone among your people, and hearken to the errand 
that has brought me here. The Yengeese have young men 
as well as the Hurons ; and plenty of them, too ; this you 
well know.” 

“ The Yengeese are as plenty as the leaves on the trees ! 
This every Huron knows and feels.” 

“ I understand you, chief. Had I brought a party with 
me it might have caused trouble. My young men and your 
young men would have looked angrily at each other, es- 
pecially had my young men seen that pale-face bound for 
the tortures. He is a great hunter, and is much loved by 
all the garrisons, far and near. There would have been 
blows about him, and the trail of the Iroquois back to the 
Canadas would have been marked with blood.” 

“ There is so much blood on it now,” returned the chief, 
gloomily, “that it blinds our eyes. My young men see 
that it is all Huron.” ^ 

“No doubt; and more Huron blood would be spilt, had 
I come surrounded with pale-faces. I have heard of Riv- 
enoak, and have thought it would be better to send him 
back in peace to his village, that he might have his women 


502 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


and children behind him. If he then wished to come for 
our scalps, we would meet him. He loves animals made 
of ivory and little rifles. See I have brought some with 
me to show him. I am his friend. When he has packed 
up these things among his goods, he will start for his vil- 
lage, before any of my young men can overtake him ; and 
then he will show his people in Canada what riches they 
can come to seek, now that our great fathers, across the 
salt lake, have sent each other the war-hatchet. I will lead 
back with me this great hunter, of whom I have need to 
keep my house in venison.” 

Judith, who was sufficiently familiar with Indian phrase- 
ology, endeavored to express her ideas in the sententious 
manner common to those people ; and she succeeded even 
beyond her own expectations. Deerslayer did her full 
justice in the translation, and this so much the more 
readily since the girl carefully abstained from uttering 
any direct untruth ; a homage she paid to the young man’s 
known aversion to falsehood, which he deemed a meanness 
altogether unworthy of a white man’s gifts. The offering 
of the two remaining elephants, and of the pistols already 
mentioned, one of which was all the worse for the recent 
accident, produced a lively sensation among the Hurons 
generally, though Rivenoak received it coldly, notwith- 
standing the delight with which he had first discovered 
the probable existence of a creature with two tails. In 
a word, this cool and sagacious savage was not' §o easily 
imposed on as his followers ; and, with a sentiment of 
honor that half the civilized world would have deemed 
supererogatory, he declined the acceptance of a bribe 
that he felt no disposition to earn by a compliance with 
the donor’s wishes. 

“ Let my daughter keep her two-tailed hog to eat when 
venison is scarce,” he dryly answered ; “and the little, gun 
which has two muzzles. The Hurons will kill deer when 
they are hungry ; and they have long rifles to fight with. 
This hunter cannot quit my young men now ; they wish 
to know if he is as stout-hearted as he boasts himself to 
be.” 

“ That I deny, Huron,” interrupted Deerslayer, with 
warmth ; “yes, that I downright deny as ag’in truth and 
reason. No man has heard me boasi, and no man shall, 


THE DEERSLA VER. 


503 


though he flay me alive, and then roast the quivering flesh 
with your own infarnal devices and cruelties ! I may be 
humble, and misfortunate, and your prisoner ; but I’m no 
boaster, by my very gifts.” 

“ My young pale-face boasts he is no boaster,” returned 
the crafty chief ; “ he must be right. I hear a strange bird 
singing. It has very rich feathers. No Huron ever before 
saw such feathers. They will be ashamed to go back to 
their village and tell their people that they let their pris- 
oner go on account of the song of this strange bird, and 
not be able to give the name of the bird. They do not 
know how to say whether it is a wren or a cat-bird. This 
would be a great disgrace ; my young men would not be 
allowed to travel in the woods without taking their 
mothers with them to tell them the names of the birds.” 

“You can ask my name of your prisoner,” returned the 
girl. “ It is Judith ; and there is a great deal of the his- 
tory of Judith in the pale-faces’ best book, the Bible. If 
I am a bird of fine feathers, I have also my name.” 

“No,” answered the wily Huron, betraying the artifice 
he had so long practised by speaking in English with toler- 
able accuracy ; “I notask prisoner. He tired; he want 
rest. I ask my daughter with feeble mind. She speak 
truth. Come here, daughter ; vou answ^er. Your name 
Hetty?” 

“Yes, that’s what they call me,” returned the girl ; 
“though it’s written Esther in the Bible.” 

“ He write hhn in Bible, too ? All write in Bible. No 
matter — what her name ? ” 

“That’s Judith, and it’s so written in the Bible, though 
father sometimes called her Jude. That’s my sister 
Judith, Thomas Hutter’s daughter — Thomas Hutter, whom 
you called the Muskrat ; though he was no muskrat, but a 
man, like yourself — he lived in a house on the water, and 
that was enough {or you ” 

A smile of triumph gleamed on the hard-wrinkled coun- 
tenance of the chief when he found how completely his 
appeal to the truth-loving Hetty had succeeded. As for 
Judith herself, the moment her sister was questioned, she 
saw all was lost ; for no sign, or even entreaty, could have 
induced the right-feeling girl to utter a falsehood. To 
attempt to impose a daughter of the Muskrat on the savages 


504 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


as a princess or a great lady she knew would be idle ; and 
she saw her bold and ingenious expedient for liberating 
the captive fail through one of the simplest and most nat- 
ural causes that could be imagined. She turned her eye 
on Deerslayer, therefore, as if imploring him to interfere 
to save them both. 

“ It will not do, Judith,” said the young man, in answer 
to this appeal, which he understood, though he saw its use- 
lessness ; “ it Avill not do. ’Twas a bold idee, and fit for a 
general’s lady ; but yonder Mingo ” — Rivenoak had with- 
drawn to a little distance, and was out of ear-shot — “ but 
yonder Mingo is an uncommon man, and not to be de- 
ceived by any unnat’ral sarcumventions. Things must 
come afore him in their right order to draw a cloud afore 
his eyes ! ’Twas too much to attempt making him fancy 
that a queen or a great lady lived in these mountains ; and 
no doubt he thinks the fine clothes you wear are some of 
the plunder of your own father — or, at least, of him who 
once passed for your father ; as quite likely it was, if all 
they say is true ! ” 

“ At all events, Deerslayer, my presence here will save 
you for a time. They will hardly attempt torturing you 
before my f^ce ! ” 

“Why not, Judith? Do you think they will treat a 
woman of the pale-faces more tenderly than they treat 
their own ? It’s true that your sex will most likely save 
you from the torments, but it will not save your liberty, 
and may not save your scalp. I wish you hadn’t come, 
my good Judith ; it can do no good to me, while it may 
do great harm to yourself.” 

“ I can share your fate,” the girl answered, with generous 
enthusiasm. “ They shall not injure you while I stand by, 
if in my power to prevent it ; besides ” 

“ Besides what, Judith ? What means have you to stop 
Injin cruelties, or to avert Injin deviltries ? ” 

“None, perhaps, Deerslayer,” answered the girl, ‘with 
firmness ; “ but I can suffer with my friends — die with 
them if necessary.” 

“Ah! Judith — suffer you may; but die you will not 
until the Lord’s time shall come. It’s little likely that one 
of your sex and beauty will meet with a harder fate than 
to become the wife of a chief, if indeed your white inclina- 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


505 


tions can stoop t' ■ match with an Injin. ’Twould have 
been better had yoj stayed in the ark or the castle ; but 
what has been done is done. You was about to say some- 
thing, when you stopped at ‘ besides ’?” 

“ It might not be safe to mention it here, Deerslayer,” 
the girl answered, moving past him carelessly, that she 
might speak in a low tone ; “ half an hour is all in all to 
us. None of your friends are idle.” 

The hunter replied merely by a grateful look. Then he 
turned toward his enemies, as if ready again to face the 
torments. A short consultation, had passed among the 
elders of the band, and by this time they also were pre- 
pared with their decision. The merciful purpose of Riven- 
oak had been much weakened by tlie artifice of Judith, 
which, failing of its real object, was likely to produce re- 
sults the very opposite of those she anticipated. This was 
natural ; the feeling being aided by the resentments of an 
Indian, who found how near he had been to becoming the 
dupe of an inexperienced girl. By this time Judith’s real 
character was fully understood — the wide-spread reputation 
of her beauty contributed to the exposure. As for the un- 
usual attire, it was confounded with the profound mystery 
of the animals with two tails, and, for the moment, lost 
its influence. * 

When Rivenoak, therefore, faced the captive again, it 
was with an altered countenance. He had abandoned the 
wish of saving him, and was no longer disposed to retard 
the most serious part of the torture. This change of senti- 
ment was, in effect, communicated to the young men, who 
were already eagerly engaged in making their prepara- 
tions for the contemplated scene. Fragments of dried 
wood were rapidly collected near the sapling, the splinters 
which it was intended to thrust into the flesh of the vic- 
tim previously to lighting were all collected, and tlie 
thongs were already produced that were again to bind 
him to the tree. All this was done in profound silence, 
Judith watching every movement with breathless expec- 
tation, while Deerslayer himself stood seemingly as un- 
moved as one of the pines of the hills. When the war- 
riors advanced to bind him, however, the young man 
glanced at Judith, as if to inquire whetlier resistance or 
submission were most advisable. a significant gesture 


5o6 


7'HE DEERSLAYER. 


she counselled the last ; and, in a rr ute, he was once 
more fastened to the tree, a helpless object of any insult 
or wrong that might be offered. So eagerly did every one 
act, that nothing was said. The fire was immediately 
lighted in the pile, and the end of all was anxiously ex- 
pected. 

It was not the intention of the Hurons absolutely to de- 
stroy the life of their victim by means of fire. They de- 
signed merely to put his physical fortitude to the severest 
proofs it could endure, short of that extremity. In the 
end, they fully intended to carry his scalp with them into 
their village, but it was their wish first to break down his 
resolution, and to reduce him to the level of a complain- 
ing sufferer. With this view, the pile of brush and 
branches had been placed at a proper distance, or one at 
which it was thought the heat would soon become intol- 
erable, though it might not be immediately dangerous. 
As often happened, however, on these occasions, this dis- 
tance had been miscalculated, and the flames began to 
wave their forked tongues in a proximity to the face of 
the victim that would have proved fatal, in another in- 
stant, had not Hetty rushed through the crowd, armed 
with a stick, and scattered the blazing pile in a dozen di- 
rections. More than one hand was raised to strike the 
presumptuous intruder to the earth ; but the chiefs pre- 
vented the blows by reminding their irritated followers of 
the state of her mind. Hetty, herself, was insensible to 
the risk* she ran ; but, as soon as she had performed this 
bold act, she stood looking about her in frowning resent- 
ment, as if to rebuke the crowd of attentive savages for 
their cruelty. 

“God bless you, dearest sister, for that brave and ready 
act!” murmured Judith, herself unnerved so much as to 
be incapable of exertion ; “ Heaven itself has sent you on 
this holy errand.” 

“ Twas well meant, Judith,” rejoined the victim ; “ ’twas 
excellently meant, and ’twas timely, though it may prove 
ontimely in the ind I What is to come to pass must come 
to pass soon, or ’twill quickly be too late. Had I drawn 
in one mouthful of that flame in breathing, the power of 
man couldn’t save my life ; and you see that this time 
they’ve so bound my forehead as not to leave my head the 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


507 


smallest chance. ’Twas well meant ; but it might have 
been more marciful to let the flames act their part,” 

“Cruel, heartless Hurons ! ” exclaimed the still indig- 
nant Hetty ; “ would you burn a man and a Christian as 
you would burn a log of wood ? Do you never read your 
Bibles ? or do you think God will forget such things ?” 

A gesture from Rivenoak caused the scattered brands to 
be collected ; fresh wood was brought, even the women 
and children busying themselves eagerly in the gathering 
of dried sticks. The flame was just kindling a second 
time, when an Indian female pushed through the circle, 
advanced to the heap, and with her foot dashed aside the 
lighted twigs in time to prevent the conflagration, A yell 
followed this second disappointment ; but when the of- 
fender turned toward the circle, and presented the counte- 
nance of Hist, it was succeeded by a common exclamation 
of pleasure and surprise. For a minute, all thought of 
pursuing the business in hand was forgotten, and young 
and old crowded around the girl, in haste to demand an 
explanation of her sudden and unlooked-for return. It 
was at this critical moment that Hist spoke to Judith in a 
low voice, placed some small object, unseen, in her hand, 
and then turned to meet the salutations of the Huron girls, 
with whom she was personally a great favorite. Judith 
recovered her self-possession, and acted promptly. The 
small, keen-edged knife, that Hist had given to the other, 
was passed by the latter into .the hands of Hetty, as the 
safest and least-suspected medium of transferring it to 
Deerslayer. But the feeble intellect of the last defeated 
the well-grounded hopes of all three. Instead of first cut- 
ting loose the hands of the victim, and then concealing 
the knife in his clothes, in readiness for action at the most 
available instant, she went to work herself, with earnest- 
ness and simplicity, to cut the thongs that bound his head, 
that he might not again be in danger of inhaling flames. 
Of course this deliberate procedure was seen, and the hands 
of Hetty were arrested ere she had more than liberated the 
upper portion of the captive’s body, not including his arms, 
below the elbows. This discovery at once pointed distrust 
toward Hist ; and, to Judith’s surprise, when questioned on 
the subject, that spirited girl was not disposed to deny her 
agency in what had passed. 


5o8 


THE DEERSLA YEK. 


“Why should I not help the Deerslayer ?” the girl de- 
manded, in the tones of a firm-minded woman. “ He is a 
brother of a Delaware chief ; my heart is all Delaware. 
Come forth, miserable Briarthorn, and wash the Iroquois 
paint from your face ; stand before the Hurons, the crow 
that you are ; you would eat the carrion of your own dead 
rather than starve. Put him face to face with Deerslayer, 
chiefs and warriors ; I will show you how great a knave 
you have been keeping in your tribe.” 

This bold language, uttered in their own dialect, and 
with a manner full of confidence, produced a deep sensa- 
tion among the Hurojis. Treachery is always liable to 
distrust ; and, though the recreant Briarthorn had en- 
deavored to serve the enemy well, his exertions and assi- 
duities had gained for him little more than toleration. His 
wish to obtain Hist for a wife had first induced him to be- 
tray her and his own people ; but serious rivals to his first 
project had arisen up among his new friends, weakening 
still more their sympathies with treason. In a word, 
Briarthorn had been barely permitted to remain in the Hu- 
ron encampment, where he was as closely and as jealously 
watched as Hist herself ; seldom appearing before the 
chiefs, and sedulously keeping out of view of Deerslayer, 
who, until this moment, was ignorant even of his presence. 
Thus summoned, however, it was impossible to remain in 
the background. “ Wash the Iroquois paint from his face ” 
he did not ; for when he stood in the centre of the circle, 
he was so disguised in those new colors, that, at first, the 
hunter did not recognize him. He assumed an air of de- 
fiance, notwithstanding, and haughtily demanded what any 
could say against “ Briarthorn.” 

“ Ask yourself that,” continued Hist, with spirit, though • 
her manner grew less concentrated, and there was a slight 
air of abstraction that became observable to Deerslayer 
and Judith, if to no others. “ Ask that of your own heart, 
sneaking woodchuck of the Delawares ; come not here 
with the face of an innocent man. Go look in the spring ; 
see the colors of your enemies on your lying skin ; and 
then come back and boast how you ran from your tribe, 
and took the blanket of the French for your covering. 
Paint yourself as bright as the humming-bird, you will 
still be black as the crow.” 


THE DEERSLA YER. 


509 


Hist had been so uniformly gentle while living with the 
Hurons, that they now listened to her language with sur- 
prise. As for the delinquent, his blood boiled in his 
veins ; and it was well for the pretty speaker that it was 
not in his power to execute the revenge he burned to in- 
flict on her, in spite of his pretended love. 

“Who wishes Briarthorn ?” he sternly asked. “ If this 
pale-face is tired of life ; if afraid of Indian torments, 
speak, Rivenoak ; I wull send him after the warriors we 
have lost.” 

“No, chief, no, Rivenoak,” eagerly interrupted Hist. 
“The Deersla;^er fears nothing ; least of all a crow ! Un- 
bind him — cut his withes — place him face to face with 
this cawing bird ; then let us see which of them is tired 
of life.” 

Hist made a forward movement, as if to take a knife 
from a young man, and perform the office she had men- 
tioned in person ; but an aged warrior interposed, at a 
sign from Rivenoak. This chief watched all the girl did 
with distrust ; for, even while speaking in her most boast- 
ful language and in the steadiest manner, there was an 
air of uncertainty and expectation about her that could 
not escape so close an observer. She acted well ; but two 
or three of the old men w’ere equally satisfied that it was 
merely acting. Her proposal to release Deerslayer, there- 
fore, was rejected ; and the disappointed Hist found her- 
self driven back from the sapling at the very moment she 
fancied herself about to be successful. At the same time, 
the circle, which had got to be crow’ded and confused, was 
enlarged, and brought once more into order. Rivenoak 
now announced the intention of the old men again to pro- 
ceed ; the delay having been continued long enough, and 
leading to no result. 

“ Stop, Huron ; stay, chiefs ! ” exclaimed Judith, scarcely 
knowing what she said, or why she interposed, unless to 
obtain time ; “ for God’s sake,a single minute longer ” 

The words were cut short by another and still more ex- 
traordinary interruption. A young Indian came bound- 
ing through the Huron ranks, leaping into the very centre 
( ^ the circle, in a way to denote the utmost confidence, or 
: temerity bordering on foolhardiness. Five or six senti- 
Li . - were still watching the lake at different and distant 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


510 

points ; and it was the first impression of Rivenoak that 
one of these had come in with tidings of import.. Still, 
the movements of the stranger were so rapid, and his war- 
dress, which scarcely left him more drapery than an an- 
tique statue, had so little distinguishing about it, that, at 
the first moment, it was impossible to ascertain whether 
he were friend or foe. Three leaps carried this warrior to 
the side of Deerslayer, whose withes were cut in the twink- 
ling of an eye, with a quickness and precision that left 
the prisoner perfect master of his limbs. Not till this was 
effected did the stranger bestow a glance on any other ob- 
ject ; then he turned and showed the astonished Hurons 
the noble brow, fine person, and eagle eye ^ a young war- 
rior, in the paint and panoply of a Delaware. He held a 
rifle in each hand, the butts of both resting on tiie earth, 
while from one dangled its proper pouch and horn. This 
was Killdeer, which, even as he looked boldly and in defi- 
ance on the crowd around him, he suffered to fall back into 
the hands of its proper owner. The presence of two armed 
men, though it was in their midst, startled the Hurons. 
Their rifles were scattered about against the different 
trees, and their only weapons were their knives and toma- 
hawks. Still, they had too much self-possession to betray 
fear. It was little likely that so small a force would as- 
sail so strong a band ; and each man expected some ex- 
traordinary- proposition to succeed so decisive a step. 
The stranger did not seem disposed to disappoint them ; 
he prepared to speak. 

“ Hurons," he said, ‘‘ this earth is very big. The great 
lakes are big, too ; there is room beyond them for the Iro- 
quois, there is room for the Delawares on this side. I am 
Chingachgook, the son of Uncas, the kinsman of Tame- 
nund. This is my betrothed, that pale-face is my friend. 
My heart was heavy when I missed him. I followed him 
to your camp to see that no harm happened to him. All 
the Delaware girls are waiting for Wah ; they wonder that 
she stays away so long. Come, let us say farewell, and go 
on our path." 

“ Hurons, this is your mortal enemy, the Great Serpent 
of them you hate ! ” cried Briarthorn. “If he escape, 
blood will be in your moccasin-prints from this spot to lae 
Canadas. 1 am all Huron." 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


511 


Ar the last words were uttered, the traitor cast his knife 
at the naked breast of the Delaware. A quick movement 
of the arm on the part of Hist, who stood near, turned 
aside the blow, the dangerous weapon burying its point in 
a pine. At the next instant a similar weapon glanced from 
the hand of the Serpent, and quivered in the recreant’s 
heart. A minute had scarcely elapsed from the moment 
in which Chingachgook bounded into the circle, and that 
in which Briarthorn fell, like a log, dead in liis tracks. 
The rapidity of the events prevented the Hurons from 
acting; but this catastrophy permitted no further delay. 
A common exclamation followed, and the whole party was 
in motion. A Ahis instant a sound unusual in the woods 
was heard, and every Huron, male and female, paused to 
listen, with ears erect, and faces filled with expectation. 
The sound was regular and heavy, as if the earth were 
struck with beetles. Objects became visible among the 
trees of the background, and a body of troops was seen 
advancing with measured tread. Tliey came upon the 
charge, the scarlet of the king’s livery shining among the 
bright green foliage of the forest. 

The scene that followed is not easily described. It was 
one in which wild confusion, despair, and frenzied efforts 
were so blended as to destroy the unity and distinctness 
of the action. A general yell burst from the inclosed 
Hurons; it 'was succeeded by the hearty cheers of Eng- 
land. Still not a musket or rifle was fired, though that 
steady, measured tramp continued, and the bayonet was 
seen gleaming in advance of a line that counted nearly 
sixty men. The Hurons were taken at a fearful disadvan- 
tage. On three sides was the water, while their formidable 
and trained foes cut them off from flight on the fourth. 
Each Avarrior rushed for his arms, and then all on the 
point, man, woman, and child, eagerly sought the covers. 
In this scene of confusion and dismay, however, nothing 
could surpass, the discretion and coolness of Deerslayer. 
His first care was to place Judith and Flist behind trees, 
and he looked for Hetty ; but she had been hurried away 
in the crowd of Huron women. This effected, he threw 
himself on a flank of the retiring Hurons, who were inclin- 
ing off toward the southern margin of the point, in the 
hope of escaping through the water. Deerslayer watched 


512 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


his opportunity, and finding two of his recent tormentors 
in a range, his rifle first broke the silence of the terrific 
scene. The bullet brought down both at one discharge. 
This drew a general fire from the Hurons, and the rifle 
and war-cry of the Serpent were heard in the clamor. 
'Still the trained men returned no answering volley, the 
whoop and piece of Hurry alone being heard on their side, 
if we except the short, prompt word of authority, and that 
heavy, measured, and menacing tread. Presently, how- 
ever, the shrieks, groans, and denunciations that usually 
accompany the use of the bayonet followed. That terrible 
and deadly weapon was glutted in vengeance. The scene 
that succeeded was one of those of which’ so many have 
occurred in our own times, in which neither age nor sex 
forms an exemption to the lot'of a savage warfare. 


CHAPTER XXXI. 


*‘The flower that smiles to-day 
To-morrow dies ; 

All that we wish to stay 
Tempts and then flies ; 

What is this world’s delight ? 

Lightning that mocks the night, 

Brief even as bright.” — Shelley. 

The picture next presented by the point of land that 
the unfortunate Hurons had selected for their last place 
of encampment, need scarcely be laid before the eyes of tlie 
reader. Happily for the more tender-minded and tlie more 
timid, the trunks of the trees, the leaves, and the smoke, 
had concealed much of that which passed ; and night 
shortly after drew its veil over the lake, and the whole of 
that seemingly interminable wilderness, which may be 
said to have then stretched, with far and immaterial inter- 
ruptions, from the banks of the Hudson to the shores 
of the Pacific Ocean. Our business carries us into the 
following day, when light returned upon the earth, as 
sunny and as smiling as if nothing extraordinary had oc- 
curred. 

When the sun rose on the following morning, every sign 


THE BE EE SLA YER. 


513 

of hostility and alarm had vanished from the basin of the 
Glimmerglass. The frightful event of the preceding even- 
ing had left no impression on the placid sheet, and the un- 
tiring hours pursued their course in the placid order pre- 
scribed by the powerful hand that set them in motion. 
The birds were again skimming the water, or were seen 
poised on the wing high above the tops of the tallest 
pines of the mountains, ready to make their swoops in 
obedience to the irresistible laws of their nature. In a 
word, nothing was changed but the air of movement and 
life that prevailed in and around the castle. Here, indeed, 
was an alteration that must have struck the least observant 
eye. A sentinel, who wore the light-infantry uniform of a 
royal regiment, paced the platform with measured tread, 
and some twenty men of the same corps lounged about the 
place, or were seated in the ark. Their arms were stacked 
under the eye of their comrade on post. Two officers 
stood examining the shore with the ship’s glass so often 
mentioned. Their looks were directed to that fatal point, 
where scarlet coats were still to be seen gliding among 
the trees, and where the magnifying power of the instru- 
ment also showed spades at work, and the sad duty of 
interment going on. Several of the common men bore 
proofs on their persons that their enemies had not been 
overcome entirel}" without resistance ; and the youngest of 
the two officers on the platform wore an arm in a sling. 
His companion, who commanded the party, had been more 
fortunate. He it was that used the glass, in making the 
reconnoisances in which the two were engaged. 

A sergeant approached to make a report. He addressed 
the senior of these officers as Captain Warley, while the 
other was alluded to as Mr. — ^ — , which was equivalent to 

Ensign Thornton. Tlie former, it will at once be 

seen, was the officer who had been named with so much 
feeling in the parting dialogue between Judith and Hurry. 
He was, in truth, the very individual with whom the scan- 
dal of the garrisons had most freely connected the name 
of this beautiful but indiscreet girl. He was a hard-feat- 
ured, red-faced man, of ^bout five-and-thirty, but of a 
military carriage, and with an air of fashion that might 
easily impose on the imagination of one as ignorant of the 
world as Judith. 


33 


514 


THE EE EE ST A FEE. 


“ Craig is covering ns with benedictions,” observed this 
person to his young ensign, with an air of indifference, as 
he shut the glass and handed it to his servant ; “ to say 
the truth, not without reason ; it is certainly more agree- 
able to be here in attendance on Miss Judith Hutter, than 
to be burying Indians on the point of the lake, however 
romantic the position or brilliant the victory. By-the-way, 
Wright, is Davis still living?” 

“He died about ten minutes since, your honor,” re- 
turned the sergeant, to whom this question was addressed. 
“ I knew how it would be, as soon as I found the bullet 
had touched the stomach, I never knew a man who could 
hold out long, if he had a hole in his stomach.” 

“ No ; it is rather inconvenient for carrying awav any- 
thing very nourishing,” observed Warley, gaping. This 
being up two nights de suite, Arthur, plays the devil with 
a man’s faculties ! I’m as stupid as one of those Dutch 
parsons on the Mohawk. I hope your arm is not painful, 
my dear boy ? ” 

“ It draws a few grimaces from me, sir, as I suppose you 
see,” answered the youth, laughing at the very moment 
his countenance was a little awry with pain. “ But it may 
be borne. I suppose Graham can spare a few minutes, 
soon, to look at my hurt ? ” 

“She is a lovely creature, this Judith Hutter, after all, 
Thornton ; and it shall not be my fault if she is not seen 
and admired in the parks !” resumed Warley, who thought 
little of his companion’s wound. “Your arm, eh ! Quite 
true. Go into the ark, sergeant, and tell Dr. Graham I 
desire he would look at Mr. Thornton’s injury as soon as 
he has done with the poor fellow with the broken leg. 
A lovely creature ! and she- looked like a queen in that 
brocade dress in which we met her. I find all changed 
here ; father and mother both gone, the sister dying, if 
not dead, and none of the family left but the beauty ! 
This has been a lucky expedition all round, and promises 
to terminate better than Indian skirmishes in general.” 

“Am I to suppose, sir, that you are about to desert you: 
colors in the great corps of bachelors, and close the cam- 
paign with matrimony ? ” 

“I, Tom Warley, turn Benedict! Faith, my dear boy, 
you little know the corps you speak of, if you fancy any 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


515 


such thing. I do suppose there are women in the colo- 
nies that a captain of light-infantry need not disdain ; 
but they are not to be found up here on a mountain-lake ; 
or even down on the Dutch river where we are posted. 
It is true my uncle, the general, once did me the favor to 
choose a wife for me, in Yorkshire ; but she had no beauty 
— and I would not marry a princess unless she were hand- 
some.” 

“ If handsome, you would marry a beggar.” 

“ Ay, these are the notions of an ensign ! Love in a 
cottage — doors — and windows — the old story for the hun- 
dredth time. The twenty th don’t marry. We are not 

,a marrying corps, my dear boy. There's the colonel, old 

Sir Edwin , now ; though a full general, he has never 

thought of a wife ; and when a man gets as high as a 
lieutenant-general, without matrimony, he is pretty safe. 
Then the lieutenant-colonel is confirmed, as I tell my 
cousin, the bishop. The major is a widower, having tried 
matrimony for twelve months in his youth ; and we look 
upon him, now, as one of our most certain men. Out of 
ten captains, but one is in the dilemma ; and he, poor 
devil, is always kept at regimental headquarters, as a sort 
of me77iento mori to the young men as they join. As for 
the subalterns, not one has ever yet had the audacity to 
speak of introducing a wife into the regiment. But your 
arm is troublesome, and we’ll go ourselves and see what 
has become of Graham.” 

The surgeon who had accompanied the party was em- 
ployed very differently from what the captain supposed. 
When the assault was over, and the dead and wounded 
were collected, poor Hetty had been found among the 
latter. A rifle-bullet had passed through her body, in- 
flicting an injury that was known at a glance to be mor- 
tal. How this wound was received, no one knew ; ijt was 
probably one of those casualties that ever acconipany 
scenes Like that related in the previous chapter. The 
Sumach, all the elderly women, some of the Huron girls, 
had fallen by the bayonet ; either in the confusion of the 
mHee, or from the difficulty of distinguishing the sexes, 
where the dress was so simple. Much the greater portion 
of the warriors suffered on the spot. A few had escaped, 
however, and two or three had been taken unharmed. 


THE DRRRSLAYER. 


516 

As for the wounded, the bayonet saved the surgeon much 
trouble. Rivenoak had escaped with life and limb ; but 
was injured and a prisoner. As Captain Warley and his 
ensign went into the ark, they passed him, seated in dig- 
nified silence, in one end of the scow, his head and leg 
bound, but betraying no visible signs of despondency or 
despair. That he mourned the loss of his tribe is certain ; 
still, he did it in a manner that best became a warrior and 
a chief. 

The two soldiers found their surgeon in the principal 
room of the ark. He was just quitting the pallet of Hetty, 
with an expression of sorrowful regret on his hard, pock- 
marked, Scottish features, that it was not usual to see 
there. All his assiduity had been useless, and he was 
compelled reluctantly to abandon the expectation of see- 
ing the girl survive many hours. Dr. Graham was accus- 
tomed to death-bed scenes, and ordinarily they produced 
but little impression on him. In all that relates to relig- 
ion, his was one of those minds which, in consequence of 
reasoning much on material things, logically and consecu- 
tively, and overlooking the total want of premises which 
such a theory must ever possess, through its want of a 
primary agent, had become sceptical ; leaving a vague 
opinion concerning the origin of things, that with high 
pretensions to philosophy, failed in the first of all philo- 
sophical principles, a cause. To him religious dependence 
appeared a weakness ; but when he found one gentle and 
young like Hetty, with a mind beneath the level of her 
race, sustained at such a moment by these pious senti- 
ments, and that, too, in a way that many a sturdy warrior 
and reputed hero might have looked upon with envy, he 
found himself affected by the sight, to a degree that he 
would have been ashamed to confess. Edinburgh and 
Aberdeen then as now supplied no small portion of the 
medical men of the British service ; and Dr. Graham, as 
indeed his name and countenance equally indicated, was, 
by birth, a North Briton. 

“ Here is an extraordinary exhibition for a forest, and 
one but half-gifted with reason,” he observed, with a de- 
cided Scotch accent, as Warley and the ensign entered ; “ I 
just hope, gentlemen, that when we three shall be called 
on to quit the twenty -th, we may be found as resigned 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


517 


to go on the half-pay of another existence as this poor de- 
mented chiel ! ” 

“ Is there no hope that she can survive the hurt ? ” de- 
manded Warley, turning his eyes toward the pallid Judith, 
on whose cheeks, however, two large spots of red had set- 
tled as soon as he came into the cabin. 

“No more than there is for Chairlie Stuart. Approach 
and judge for yourselves, gentlemen ; ye’ll see faith exem- 
plified in an exceeding and wonderful manner. There is a 
sort of arbitrium between life and death, in actual conflict 
in the poor girl’s mind, that renders her an interesting 
study to a philosopher. Mr. Thornton, I’m at your service 
now ; we can just look at the arm, in the next room, while 
we speculate as much as we please on the operations and 
sinuosities of the human mind.” 

The surgeon and ensign retired, and Warley had an op- 
portunity of looking about him more at leisure, and with 
a better understanding of the nature and feelings of the 
group collected in the cabin. Poor Hetty had been placed 
on her own simple bed, and was reclining in a half-seated 
attitude, with the approaches of death on her countenance, 
though they were singularly dimmed by the lustre of an 
expression in which all the intelligence of her entire being 
appeared to be concentrated. Judith and Hist were 
nearer her ; the former seated in deep grief, the latter 
standing, in readiness to offer any of the gentle attentions 
of feminine care. Deerslayer stood at the end of the pal- 
let, leaning on Killdeer, unharmed in person ; all the fine, 
martial ardor that had so lately glowed in his countenance 
having given place to the usual look of honesty and be- 
nevolence — qualities of which the expression was now 
softened by manly regret and pity. The Serpent was in 
the background of the picture, erect and motionless as a 
statue ; but so observant that not a look of the eye es- 
caped his own keen glance. Hurry completed the group ; 
being seated on a stool near the door, like one who felt 
himself out of place in such a scene, but who was ashamed 
to quit it unbidden. 

“ Who is that in scarlet ? ” asked Hetty, as soon as the 
captain’s uniform caught her eye. “ Tell me, Judith, is it 
the friend of Hurry ?” 

“ 'Tis the officer who commands the troops, that have 


5i8 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


rescued us all from the hands of the Hurons,” was the low 
answer of the sister. 

“ Am I rescued, too ? I thought they said I was shot, and 
about to die. Mother is dead, and so is father ; but you are 
living, Judith, and so is Hurry. I was afraid Hurry would 
be killed, when I heard him shouting among the soldiers.” 

“ Never mind — never mind, dear Hetty,” interrupted 
Judith, sensitively alive to the preservation of her sister’s 
secret, more, perhaps, at such a moment than at any 
other. “Hurry is well, and Deerslayer is well, and the 
Delaware is well, too.” 

“ How came they to shoot a poor girl like me, and let 
so many men go unharmed ? I didn’t know that the Hu- 
rons were so wicked, Judith ? ” 

“ ’Twas an accident, poor Hetty ; a sad accident it has 
been ! No one would willingly have injured 7^72/.” 

“I’m glad of that — I thought it strange ; I am feeble- 
minded, and the red men have never harmed me before. 
I should be sorry to think that they had changed their 
minds. I am glad, too, Judith, that they haven’t hurt 
Hurry. Deerslayer, I don’t think God will suffer any one 
to harm. It was very fortunate the soldiers came as they 
did, though, for fire will burn ! ” 

“ It was, indeed, fortunate, my sister ; God’s holy name 
be forever blessed for the mercy ! ” 

“ I dare say, Judith, you know some of the officers ; you 
used to know so many.” 

Judith made no reply ; she hid her face in her hands 
and groaned. Hetty gazed at her in wonder ; but natu- 
rally supposing her own situation was the cause of this 
grief, she kindly offered to console her sister. 

“ Don’t mind me, dear Judith,” said the affectionate 
and pure-hearted creature ; “ I don’t suffer, if I do die ; 
why, father and mother are both dead, and what happened 
to them may well happen to me. You know I am of less 
account than any of the family ; therefore, few will think 
of me after I’m in the lake.” 

“ No, no, no — poor, dear, dear Hetty!” exclaimed Judith, 
in an uncontrollable burst of sorrow ; “I, at least, will ever 
think of you ; and gladly, oh, how gladly, would I ex- 
change places with you, to be the pure, excellent, sinless 
creature you are ! ” 


THE DEE A' SLA YEA. 


519 


Until now, Captain Warley had stood leaning against 
the door of the cabin ; when this outbreak of feeling, and 
perchance of penitence, escaped the beautiful girl, he 
walked slowly and thoughtfully away ; even passing the 
ensign, then suffering under the surgeon’s care, without 
noticing him. 

“ I have got my Bible here, Judith!” returned her sister, 
in a voice of triumph. “ It’s true, I can’t read any longer ; 
there’s something the matter with my eyes — you look dim 
and distant — and so does Hurry, now I look at him ; well, 
I never could have believed that Henry March would have 
so dull a look. What can be the reason, Judith, that I see 
so badly to-day ? I, who mother always said had the best 
eyes in the whole family. Yes, that was it ; my mind was 
feeble — what people call half-witted — but my eyes were so 
good.” 

Again Judith groaned ; this time no feeling of self, no 
retrospect of the past, caused the pain. It was the pure, 
heart-felt sorrow of sisterly love, heightened by a sense of 
the meek humility and perfect truth of the being before her. 
At that moment, she would gladly have given up her own 
life to save thaj of Hetty. As the last, however, was be- 
yond the reach of human power, she felt there was noth- 
ing left her but sorrow. At this moment Warley returned 
to the cabin, drawn by a secret impulse he could not with- 
stand, though he felt, just then, as if he would gladly aban- 
don the American Continent forever, were it practicable. 
Instead of pausing at the door, he now advanced so near 
the pallet- of the sufferer as to come more plainly within 
her gaze. Hetty could still distinguish large objects, and 
her look soon fastened on him. 

“ Are you the officer that came with Hurry ? ” she asked. 
“ If you are, we ought all to thank you ; for, though I am 
hurt, the rest have saved their lives. Did Harry March 
tell you where to find us, and how much need there was 
for your services ?” 

“ The news of the party reached us by means of a 
friendly runner,” returned the captain, glad to relieve his 
feelings by this appearance of a friendly communication ; 
“and I was immediately sent out to cut it off. It was for- 
tunate, certainly, that we met Hurry Harry, as you call 
him, for he acted as a guide ; and it was not less fortunate 


520 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


that we heard a firing, which I now understand was merely 
a shooting at the mark, for it not only quickened our 
march, but called us to the right side of the lake. The 
Delaware saw us on the shore, with the glass, it would 
seem, and he and Hist, as I find his squaw is named, did us 
excellent service. It v.^as, really, altogether a fortunate 
concurrence of circumstances, Judith.” 

“Talk not to me of anything fortunate, sir,” returned 
the girl, huskily, again concealing her face. “ To me the 
world is full of misery. I wish never to hear of marks, 
or rifles, or soldiers, or men again.” 

“ Do you know my sister?” asked Hetty, ere the re- 
buked soldier had time to rally for an answer. “ How 
came you to know that her name is Judith ? You are 
right, for that is her name : and I am Hetty ; Thomas 
Hutter’s daughters.” 

“ For Heaven’s sake, dearest sister ; for my sake, beloved 
Hetty,” interposed Judith, imploringly, “ say no more of 
this ! ” 

Hetty looked surprised ; but, accustomed to comply, 
she ceased her awkward and painful interrogatories of 
Warley, bending her eyes toward the Bible, which she still 
held between her hands, as one would cling to a casket of 
precious stones, in a shipwreck or a conflagration. Her 
mind now reverted to the future, losing sight, in a great 
measure, of the scene of the past. 

“ We shall not long be parted, Judith,” she said ; “ when 
you die, you must be brought and buried in the lake, by 
the side of mother, too.” 

“ Would to God, Hetty, that I lay there at this mo- 
ment ! ” 

“ No ; that cannot be, Judith ; people must die before 
they have any right to be buried. Twould be wicked to 
bury you, or for you to bury yourself while living. Once 
I thought of burying myself. God kept me from that 
sin.” 


“You! you, Hetty Hutter, think of such an act?” ex- 
claimed Judith, looking up in uncontrollable surprise, for 
she well knew nothing passed the lips of her conscientious 
sister that was not religiously true. 

^‘Yes, I did, Judith; but God has forgotten — no. He 
forgets nothing — but He has forgiven it,” returned the dy- 


THE DEERSLAYER*. ^ 521 

ing girl, with the subdued manner of a repentant child. 
“ ’Twas after mother’s death ; I felt I had lost the best 
friend I had on earth, if not the only friend. ’Tis true, you 
and father, were kind to me, Judith, but I was so feeble- 
minded I knew I should only give you trouble ; and then 
you were so often ashamed of such a sister and daughter ; 
and ’tis hard to live in a world where all look upon you as 
below them. I thought then if I could bury myself by the 
side of mother, I should be happier in the lake than in the 
hut.” 

“ Forgive me — pardon me, dearest Hetty ; on my bended 
knees, I beg you to pardon me, sweet sister, if any word 
or act of mine drove you to so maddening and cruel a 
thought.” 

“ Get up, Judith ; kneel to God— don’t kneel to me. 
Just so 1 felt when mother was dying. I remembered 
everything I had said and done to vex her, and could have 
kissed her feet for forgiveness. I think it must be so with 
all dying people ; though, now I think of it, I don’t re- 
member to have had such feelings on account of father.” 

Judith arose, hid her face in her apron, and wept. A 
long pause — one of more than two hours — succeeded, dur- 
ing which Warley entered and left the cabin several times ; 
apparently uneasy when absent, and yet unable to remain. 
He issued various orders, which his men proceeded to exe- 
cute ; and there was an air of movement in the party, more 
especially as Mr. Craig, the lieutenant, had got through 
the unpleasant duty of burying the dead, and had sent for 
instructions from the shore, desiring to know what he was 
to do with his detachment. During this interval, Hetty 
slept a little, and Deerslayer and Chingachgook left the 
ark to confer together. But, at the end of the time men- 
tioned, the surgeon passed upon tbe platform ; and with a 
degree of feeling his comrades had never before observed 
in one of his habits, he announced that the patient was 
rapidly drawing near her end. On receiving tliis intelli- 
gence, the group collected again ; curiosity to witness 
such a death — or a better feeling — drawing to the spot 
men who had so lately been actors in a scene seemingly of 
so much greater interest and moment. By this time Judith 
had got to be inactive, through grief ; and Hist alone was 
performing the little offices of feminine attention that are 


522 


THE DEERSLAYKR. 


SO appropriate to the sick-bed. Hetty herself had under- 
gone no other apparent change than the general failing 
that indicated the near approach of dissolution. All that 
she possessed of mind was as clear as ever ; and, in some 
respects her intellect, perhaps, was more than usually active. 

“ Don’t grieve for me so much, Judith,” said the gentle 
sufferer, aher a pause in her remarks ; “ I shall soon see 
mother ; I think I see her now ; her face is just as sweet 
and smiling as it used to be ! Perhaps, when I’m dead, 
God will give me all my mind, and I shall become a more 
fitting companion for mother than I ever was before.” 

“You will be an angel in heaven, Hetty,” sobbed the 
sister ; “ no spirit there will be more worthy of its holy 
residence ! ” 

“ I don’t understand it quite ; still I know it must be all 
true ; I’ve read it in the Bible. How dark it’s becoming ! 
Can it be night so soon ? I can hardly see you at all ; 
where is Hist ? ” 

“ I here, poor girl ; why you no see me ?” 

“ I do see you ; but I couldn’t tell whether ’twas you or 
Judith. I believe I sha’n’t see you much longer. Hist.” 

“ Sorry for that, poor Hetty. Never mind ; pale-face 
got a heaven for girl as well as for warrior.” 

“Where’s the Serpent ? Let me speak to him ; give me 
his hand ; so ; I feel it — Delaware will you love and cher- 
ish this young Indian ; I know how fond she is of yon; and 
you must be fond of her. Don’t treat her as some of your 
people treat their wives ; be a real husband to her. Now 
bring Deerslayer near me ; and give me his hand.” 

This request was complied with, and the hunter stood by 
the side of the pallet, submitting to the wishes of the girl 
with the docility of a child. 

“ I feel, Deerslayer,” she resunied, “ though I couldn’t 
tell why — but I feel that you and I are not going to part 
forever. ’Tis a strange feeling ! I never had it before ; I 
wonder what it comes from ? ” 

“ ’Tis God encouraging you in extremity, Hetty ; as such 
it ought to be harbored and respected. Yes, we shall meet 
ag’in, though it may be a long time first, and in a far-dis- 
tant land.” 

“ Do you mean to be buried in the lake, too ? If so, that 
may account for the feeling.” 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


523 


“ ’Tis little likely, gal ; ’tis little likely ; but there’s a re- 
gion for Christian souls where there’s no lakes nor woods, 
they say ; though why there should be none of the last is 
more than I can account^for; seeing that pleasantness and 
peace is the object in view. My grave will be found in the 
forest, most likely, but I hope my spirit will not be far from 
your’n.” 

“ So it must be, then. I am too weak-minded to under- 
stand these things, but I feel that you and I will meet again. 
Sister, where are you ? I can’t see now anything but dark- 
ness. It must be night, surely !” 

“ Oh Hetty ! I am here, at your side ; these are my arms 
that are around you,” sobbed Judith. “Speak, dearest ; is 
there anything you wish to say, or have done, in this awful 
moment ? ” 

By this time Hetty’s sight had entirely failed her. Nev- 
ertheless, death approached with less than its usual hor- 
rors, as if in tenderness to one of her half-endowed facul- 
ties. She was pale as a corpse, but her breathing was 
easy and unbroken, while her voice, though lowered almost 
to a whisper, remained clear and distinct. When her sis- 
ter put this question, however, a blush diffused itself over 
the features of the dying girl ; so faint, however, as to be 
nearly imperceptible ; resembling that hue of the rose which 
is thought to portray the tint of modesty, rather than the 
dye of the flower in its richer bloom. No one but Judith 
detected this expression of feeling, one of the gentle ex- 
pressions of womanly sensibility, even in death. On her, 
however, it was not lost, nor did she conceal from herself 
the cause. 

“ Hurry is here, dearest Hetty,” whispered the sister, 
with her face so near the sufferer as to keep the words from 
other ears. “ Shall I tell him to come and receive your 
good wishes ? ” 

A gentle pressure of the hand answered in the affirmative, 
and then Hurry was brought to the side of the pallet. It 
is probable that this handsome but rude woodsman had 
never before found himself so awkwardly placed, though 
the ificlination w’hich Hetty felt for him (a sort of secret 
yielding to the instincts of nature, rather than any unbe- 
coming impulse of an ill-regulated imagination) was too 
pure and unobtrusive to have created the slightest suspi- 


524 


THE DEERTL hYER. 


cion of the circumstance in his mind. He allowed Judith 
to put his hard, colossal hand between those of Hetty, and 
stood waiting the result in awkward silence. 

“This is Hurry, dearest,” whispered Judith, bending 
over her sister, ashamed to utter the words so as to be au- ' 
dible to herself ; “speak to him and let him go.” 

“ What shall I say, Judith ?” 

“ Nay, whatever your own pure spirit teaches, my love. 
Trust to that, and you need fear nothing.” 

“ Good-by, Hurry,” murmured the girl, with a gentle 
pressure of his hand. “ I wish you would try and be more 
like Deerslayer.” 

These w’ords were uttered with difficulty ; a faint flush 
succeeded them for a single instant, then the hand was 
relinquished, and Hetty turned her face aside, as if done 
with the world. The mysterious feeling that bound her 
to the young man, a sentiment so gentle as to be almost 
imperceptible to herself, and which could never have ex- 
isted at all, had her reason possessed more command over 
her senses, was forever lost in thoughts of a more elevated, 
though scarcely of a purer character. 

“ Of what are you thinking, my sweet sister ?” whispered 
Judith ; “tell me, that I may aid you at this moment.” 

“ Mother — I see mother, now, and bright beings around 
her in the lake. Why isn’t father there ? It’s odd that I 
can see mother when I can’t see you ! Farew^ell, Judith.” 

These last w^ords w^ere uttered after a pause, and her 
sister had hung over her some time, in anxious watchful- 
ness, before she perceived that the gentle spirit had de- 
parted. Thus died Hetty H utter, one of those mysterious 
links between the material and immaterial world which, 
while they appear to be deprived of so much that is es- 
teemed, and necessary for this state of being, draw^ so near 
to, and offer so beautiful an illustration of the truth, purity, 
and simplicity of another. 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


525 


CHAPTER XXXII. 

A baron’s chylde to be begylde ! it were a cursed dede : 

To be felawe with an outlawe ! Almighty God forbede ! 

Yea, better were, the poor squyere, alone to forest yede, 

Than ye showlde say, another day, that by my cursed dede 
Ye were betrayed : wherefore, good mayde, the best rede that I can 
Is, that to the grene wode go, alone, a' banyshed man.” 

— Notbrowne Mayde. 

The day that followed proved to be melancholy, though 
one of much activity. The soldiers who had so lately been 
employed in interring their victims, were now called on 
to bury their own dead. The scene of the morning had 
left a saddened feeling on all the gentlemen of the party, 
and the rest felt the influence of a similar sensation, in a 
variety of ways, and from many causes. Hour dragged 
on after^our until evening arrived, and then came the last 
melancholy offices in honor of poor Hetty Hutter. The 
body was laid in the lake by the side of that mother she 
had so loved and reverenced ; the surgeon, though actually 
an unbeliever, so far complying with the received decen- 
cies of life as to read the funeral service over her grave, 
as he had previously done over those of the other Christian 
slain. It mattered not — that all-seeing Eye which reads 
the heart could not fail to discriminate between the liv- 
ing and the dead, and the gentle soul of the unfortunate 
girl was already far removed beyond the errors or decep- 
tions of human ritual. These simple rites, however, were 
not wholly wanting in suitable accompaniments. The 
tears of Judith and Hist were shed freely, and Deerslayer 
gazed upon the limpid water that now flowed over one 
whose spirit was even purer than its own mountain-springs, 
with glistening eyes. Even the Delaware turned aside to 
conceal his weakness^ while the common men gazed on 
the ceremony with wondering eyes and chastened feelings. 

The business of the day closed with this pious office. 
By order of the commanding officer all retired early to 
rest, for it was intended to begin the march homeward 
with the return of light. One party indeed, bearing the 
wounded, the prisoners, and the trophies, had left the cas- 


526 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


tie in the middle of the day, under the guidance of Hurry, 
intending to reach the fort by shorter marches. It had 
been landed on the point so often mentioned, or that de- 
scribed in our opening pages, and, when the sun set, was al- 
ready encamped on the brow of the long, broken, and ridgy 
hills that fell away toward the valley of the Mohawk. The 
described departure of this detachment had greatly simpli- 
fied the duty of the succeeding day, disencumbering the 
march of its baggage and wounded, and otherwise leaving 
him who had issued the order greater liberty of action. 

Judith held no communication with any but Hist, after 
the death of her sister, until she retired for the night. 
Her sorrow had been respected, and both the females had 
been left with the body unintruded on to the last moment. 
The rattling of the drum broke the silence of that tran- 
quil water, and the echoes of the tattoo were heard among 
the mountains so soon after the ceremony was over as to 
preclude the danger of interruption. That star which had 
been the guide of Hist rose on a scene as silent ^ if the 
quiet of nature had never yet been disturbed by the labors 
or passions of man. One solitary sentinel, with his relief, 
paced the platform throughout the night ; and morning 
was ushered in, as usual, by the martial beat of the re- 
veille. 

Military precision succeeded to the desultory proceed- 
ings of bordermen, and, when a hasty and frugal break- 
fast was taken, the party began its movement toward the 
shore with a regularity and order that prevented noise or 
confusion. Of all the officers, Warley alone remained. 
Craig headed the detachment in advance, Thornton was 
with the wounded, and Graham accompanied his patients, 
as a matter of course. Even the chest of Hutter, with all 
the more valuable of his effects, was borne awaiy, leaving 
nothing behind that was worth the labor of a removal. 
Judith was not sorry to see that the captain respected her 
feelings, and that he occupied himself entirely with the 
duty of his command, leaving her to her own discretion and 
feelings. It was understood by all that the place was to 
be totally abandoned ; but beyond this no explanations 
were asked or given. 

The soldiers embarked in the ark, with the captain at 
their head. He had inquired of Judith in what way she 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


527 


chose to proceed, and, understanding her wish to remain 
with Hist to the last moment, he neither molested her 
with requests, nor offended her with advice. There was 
but one safe and familiar trail to the Mohawk ; and on 
that, at the proper hour, he doubted not that they should 
meet in amity, if not in renewed intercourse. 

When all were on board the sweeps were manned, and 
the ark moved in its sluggish manner toward the distant 
point. Deerslayer and Chingachgook now lifted two of 
the canoes from the water and placed them in the castle. 
The windows and doors were then barred, and the house 
was left, by means of the trap, in the manner already de- 
scribed. On quitting the palisades. Hist was seen in the 
remaining canoe, where the Delaware immediately joined 
her and paddled away, leaving Judith standing alone on 
the platform. Owing to this prompt proceeding, Deer- 
slayer found himself alone with the beautiful and still 
weeping mourner. Too simple to suspect anything, the 
young man swept the light boat round and received its 
mistress in it, when he followed the course already taken 
by his friend. 

The direction to the point led diagonally past and at no 
great distance from the graves of the dead. As the canoe 
glided by, Judith, for the first time that morning, spoke to 
her companion. She said but little, merely uttering a 
simple request to stop for a minute or two ere she left the 
place. 

“ I may never see this spot again, Deerslayer,” she said, 
“and it contains the bodies of my mother and sister! Is 
it not possible, think you, that the innocence of one of 
these beings may answer, in the eyes of God, for tlie sal- 
vation of both ? ” 

“ I don’t understand it so, Judith, though I’m no mis- 
sionary, and am but poorly taught. Each spirit answers 
for its own backslidings ; though a hearty repentance 
will satisfy God’s laws.” 

“ Then 77iust my poor, poor mother be in heaven ! Bit- 
terly, bitterly has she repented of her sins ; and surely her 
suffering in this life ought to count as something against 
her sufferings in the next ! ” 

“ All this goes beyond me, Judith. I strive to do right 
here, as the surest means of keeping all right hereafter. 


528 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


Hetty was oncommon, as all that know’d her must allow ; 
and her soul was as fit to consort with angels the hour it 
left its body as that of any saint in the Bible ! ” 

‘‘I do believe you only do her justice! Alas! alas! 
that there should be so great differences between those 
who were nursed at the same breast, slept in the same bed, 
and dwelt under the same roof ! But no matter — move 
the canoe a little farther east, Deerslayer ; the sun so dazzles 
my eyes that 1 cannot see the graves. This is Hetty’s on 
the right of mother’s?” 

“ Sartain — you ask that of us ; and all are glad to do as 
you wish, Judith, when you do that which is right.” 

The girl gazed at him near a minute in silent attention ; 
then she turned her eyes backward at the castle. 

“This lake will soon be entirely deserted,” she said, 
“ and this, too, at a moment when it will be a more secure 
ilwelling-place than ever. What has so lately happened 
fvill prevent the Iroquois from venturing again to visit it 
for a long time to come.” 

“ That it will ! Yes, that may be set down as settled. I 
do not mean to pass this-a-way ag’in so long as the war 
lasts ; for, to my mind, no Huron moccasin will leave its 
print on the leaves of this forest, until their traditions 
have forgotten to tell their young men of their disgrace 
and rout.” 

“ And do you so delight in violence and bloodshed ? I 
had thought better of jjw, Deerslayer — believed you one 
who could find his happiness in a quiet, domestic home, 
with an attached and loving wife ready to study your 
wishes, and healthy and dutiful children anxious to fol- 
low in your footsteps, and become as honest and just as 
yourself.” 

“Lord, Judith, what a tongue you’re mistress of! 
Speech and looks go hand-in-hand like ; and what one 
can't do, the other is pretty sartain to perform ! Such a 
gal, in a month, might spoil the stoutest warrior in the 
colony.” 

“ And am I then so mistaken ? Do you really love war, 
Deerslayer, better than the hearth and the affections ?” 

“ I understand your meaning, gal ; yes, I do understand 
what you mean, I believe, though I don’t think you alto- 
gether understand me. Warrior I may call myself, I sup- 


THE DRRRSLAYER. 


529 


pose, for I’ve both fou’t and conquered, which is sufficient 
for the name ; neither will I deny that I’ve feelin’s for the 
callin’, which is both manful and honorable, when carried 
on accordin’ to the nat’ral gifts — but I’ve no relish for 
blood. Youth is youth, howsever, and a Mingo is a Min- 
go. If the young men of this region stood by and suffered 
ihe vagabonds to overrun the land, wliy, we might as well 
all turn Frenchers at once, and give up country and kin. 
I’m no fire-eater, Judith, or one that likes fightin’ for 
fightin’s sake ; but I can see no difference atween givin' up 
territory afore a war, out of a dread of war, and givin' it up 
a' ter war, because we catit help it — onless it be that the last is 
the fnost manful and honorable." 

“No woman would ever wish to see her husband or 
brother stand by and submit to insult and wrong. Deer- 
slayer, however slie might mourn the necessity of his run- 
ning into the dangers of battle. But you’ve done enough 
already in clearing this region of the Hurons ; since to 
you is principally owing the credit of our late victory. 
Now, listen to me patiently, and answer me with that na- 
tive modesty which it is as pleasant to regard in one of 
your sex as it is unusual to meet with.” 

Judith paused ; for, now that she was on the very point 
of explaining herself, native modesty asserted its power 
notwithstanding the encouragement and confidence she 
derived from the great simplicity of her companion’s char- 
acter. Her cheeks, which liad so lately been pale, flushed 
and her eyes lighted with some of their former brilliancy. 
Feeling gave expression to her countenance and softness 
to her voice, rendering her who was always beautiful, 
trebly seductive and winning. 

“ Deerslayer,” she said, after a considerable pause, “ this 
is not a moment for affectation, deception, or a want of 
frankness of any sort. Here, over my mother’s grave, and 
over the grave of truth-loving, truth-telling Hetty, every- 
thing like unfair dealing seems to be out of place. I will 
therefore speak to you without any reserve, and without any 
dread of being misunderstood. You are not an acquaint- 
ance of a week, but it appears to me as if I had known 
you for years. So much, and so much that is important, has 
taken place within that short time, that the sorrows, and 
dangers, and escapes of a whole life have been crowded 

34 


530 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


into a few days ; and they who have suffered and acted to- 
gether in such scenes ought not to feel like strangers. I 
know that what I am about to say might be misunderstood 
by most men, but I hope for a generous construction of 
my course from you. We are not here dwelling among 
the arts and deceptions of the settlements, but young peo- 
ple who have no occasion to deceive each otlier, in any 
manner or form. 1 hope I make myself understood ? ” 
“Sartain, Judith ; fewconvarse better than yourself, and 
none more agreeable like. Your words are as pleasant as 
your looks.” 

“ It is the manner in which you have so often praised 
those looks, that gives me courage to proceed. Still, Deer- 
slayer, it is not easy for one of my sex and years to forget 
all her lessons of infancy, all her habits, and her natural 
diffidence, and say openly what her heart feels ! ” 

“Why not, Judith? Why shouldn’t women as well as 
men deal fairly and honestly by their fellow-creatur’s ? I 
see no reason why you should not speak as plainly as my- 
self, when there is anything ra’ally important to be said.” 

This indomitable diffidence, which still prevented the 
young man from suspecting the truth, would have com- 
pletely discouraged tlie girl, had not her whole soul, as 
well as her whole heart, been set upon making a desperate 
effort to rescue herself from a future that she dreaded with 
a horror as vivid as the distinctness with which she fancied 
she foresaw it. This motive, however, raised her above 
all common considerations, and she persevered even to her 
own surprise, if not to her great confusion. 

“ I will — I 7nust deal as plainly with you as I would with 
poor, dear Hetty, were that sweet child living ! ” she con- 
tinued, turning pale, instead of blushing, the high resolu- 
tion by which she was prompted reversing the effect that 
such a procedure would ordinarily produce on one of her 
sex ; “ yes, I will smother all other feelings in the one 
that is now uppermost ! You love the woods and the life 
that we pass here, in the wilderness, away from the dwejl- 
ings and towns of the whites ? ” 

“As I loved my parents, Judith, when they was living! 
This very spot would be all creation to me, could this war 
be fairly over, once ; and the settlers kept at a distance.” 
“Why quit it then? It has no owner — at least none 


THE DEERSLAYER, 


531 


who can claim a better right than mine, and that I freely 
give to you. Were it a kingdom, Deerslayer, I think I 
should delight to say the same. Let us then return to it, 
after we have seen the priest at the fort, and never quit it 
again, until God calls us away to that world where we 
shall find the spirits of my poor mother and sister.” 

A long, thoughtful pause succeeded ; Judith having 
covered her face with both hands, after forcing herself to 
utter so plain a proposal, and Deerslaver musing, equally 
in sorrow and surprise, on the meaning of the language 
he had just heard. At length the hunter broke the silence, 
speaking in a tone that was softened to gentleness by his 
desire not to offend. 

“You haven't thought well of this, Judith,” he said; 
“ no, your feelin’s are awakened by all that has lately hap- 
pened, and believin’ yourself to be without kindred in the 
world, you are in too great haste to find some to fill the 
place of them that’s lost.” 

“ Were I living in a crowd of friends, Deerslayer, I 
should still think, as T now think — say as I now say,” re- 
turned Judith, speaking with her hands still shading her 
lovely face. 

“Thank you, gal, thank you, from the bottom of my 
heart. Hovvsever, I am not one to take advantage of a 
weak moment, when you’re forgetful of your own great 
advantages, and fancy ’arth and all it holds is in this little 
canoe. No — no — Judith, ’tvvould be onginerous in me ; 
what you’ve offered can never come to pass ! ” 

“ It all may be, and that without leaving cause of re- 
pentance to any,” answered Judith, with an impetuosity of 
feeling and manner that at once unveiled her eyes. “We 
can cause the soldiers to leave our goods on the road, till 
we return, when they can easily be brought back to the 
house ; the lake will be no more visited by the enemy this 
war, at least; all your skins may be readily sold at the 
garrison ; there you can buy the few necessaries we shall 
want, for I wish never to see the spot again ; and, Deer- 
slayer,” added the girl, smiling with a sweetness and nature 
that the young man found it hard to resisy^‘as a proof 
how wholly I am and wish to be yours — how completely I 
desire to be nothing but your wife, the very first fire that 
we kindle, after our return, shall be lighted with the bro- 


532 


7'HE DEERSLAYER. 


cade dress, and fed by every article I have that you may 
think unfit for the woman you wish to live with ! ” 

“ All’s me ! you’re a winning and a lovely creatur’, 
Judith ; yes, you are all that, and no one can deny it, and 
speak truth. These pictur’s are pleasant to the thoughts, 
but they mightn’t prove so happy as you now think ’em. 
Forget it all, therefore, an’ let us paddle after the Sarpent 
and Hist, as if nothing had been said on the subject.” 

Judith was deeply mortified, and, what is more, she was 
profoundly grieved. Still there was a steadiness and quiet 
in the manner of Deerslayer that completely smothered 
her hopes, and told her that, for once, her exceeding 
beauty had failed to excite the admiration and homage it 
was wont to receive. Women are said seldom to forgive 
those who slight their advances ; but this high-spirited 
and impetuous girl entertained no shadow of resentment, 
then or ever, against the fair-dealing and ingenuous 
hunter. At the moment the prevailing feeling was the 
wish to be certain that there was no misunderstanding. 
After another painful pause, therefore, she brought the 
matter to an issu6 by a question too direct to admit of 
equivocation. 

“ God forbid that we lay up regrets in after-life, through 
any want of sincerity now ! ” she said. “ I hope we under- 
stand each other at least. You will not accept me for a 
wife, Deerslayer ? ” 

“ ’Tis better for both that I shouldn’t take advantage of 
your own forgetfulness, Judith. We can never marry.” 

“ You do not love me — cannot find it in your heart, per- 
haps, to esteem me, Deerslayer ! ” 

“Everything in the way of fri’ndship, Judith — everything, 
even to sarvices and life itself. Yes, I’d risk as much for 
you, at this moment, as I would risk in behalf of Hist ; and 
that is sayin’ as much as I can say of any darter of woman. 
I do not think I feel toward either — mind I say either^ 
Judith — as if I wished to quit father and mother — if father 
and mother was livin’, which, however, neither is — but if 
both was livin’, I do not feel toward any woman as if I 
wish’d to quit ’em in order to cleave unto her." 

“This is enough!” answered Judith, in a rebuked and 
smothered voice ; “ I understand all that you mean. Marry 
you cannot, without loving ; and that love you do not feel 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


533 


for me. Make no answer, if I am right, for I shall under- 
stand your silence. ThatwAW be painful enough of itself.’' 

Deerslayer obeyed her, and he made no reply. For 
more than a minute the girl riveted her bright eyes on him 
as if to read his soul ; while he sat playing with the water, 
like a corrected school-boy. Then Judith herself dropped 
the end of her paddle, and urged the canoe away from the 
spot, with a movement as reluctant as the feelings which 
controlled it. Deerslayer quietly aided the effort, how- 
ever, and they were soon on the trackless line taken by 
the Delaware. 

In their way to the point, not another syllable was ex- 
changed between Deerslayer and his fair companion. As 
Judith sat in the bow of the canoe, her back was turned 
toward him, else it is probable the expression of her coun- 
tenance might have induced him to venture some soothing 
terms of friendship and regard. Contrary to what would 
have been expected, resentment was still absent, though 
the color frequently changed from the deep flush of morti- 
fication to the paleness of disappointment. Sorrow, deep, 
heartfelt sorrow, however, was the predominant emotion, 
and this was betrayed in a manner not to be mistaken. 

As neither labored hard at the paddle, the ark had al- 
ready arrived, and the soldiers had disembarked before the 
canoe of the two loiterers reached the point. Chingach- 
gook had preceded it, and was already some distance in the 
wood, at a spot where the two trails, that to the garrison 
and that to the villages of the Delawares, separated. The 
soldiers, too, had taken up their line of march ; first set- 
ting the ark adrift again, with a reckless disregard of its 
fate. All this Judith saw, butshe heeded it not. The Glim- 
merglass had no longer any charms for her ; and when she 
put her foot on the strand, she immediately proceeded on 
the trail of the soldiers, without casting a single glance be- 
hind her. Even Hist was passed unnoticed ; that modest 
young creature shrinking from the averted face of Judith, 
as if guilty herself of some wrong-doing. 

“ Wait you here, Sarpent,” said Deerslayer, as he fol- 
lowed in the footsteps of the dejected beauty, while pass- 
ing his friend. ‘‘ I will just see Judith among her party, 
and come and j’ine you.” 

A hundred yards had hid the couple from those in front, 


534 


THE DEERSLAY^R. 

as well as those in the rear, when Judith turned and spoke : 
“This will do, Deerslayer,” she said sadly. “I under- 
stand your kindness, but shall not need it. In a few min- 
utes I shall reach the soldiers. As you cannot go with me 
on the journey of life, 1 do not wish you to go farther 
on this. But stop ; before we part I would ask you a sin- 
gle question. And I require of you, as you fear God, 
and reverence the truth, not to deceive me in your answer. 
I know you do not love another ; and I can see but one 
reason why you cannot, will not love me. Tell me, then, 

Deerslayer ” The girl paused, the words she was about 

to utter seeming to choke her. Then rallying all her 
resolution, with a face that flushed and paled at every 
breath she drew, she continued : “ Tell me, then, Deer- 
slayer, if anything liglit of me that Henry March has said 
may not have influenced your feelings?” 

Truth was the Deerslayer’s polar star. He ever kept it 
in view ; and it was nearly impossible for him to avoid ut- 
tering it, even when prudence demanded silence. Judith 
read his answer in his countenance ; and with a heart 
nearly broken by the consciousness of undeserving, she 
signed to him an adieu, and buried herself in the woods. 
For some time Deerslayer was irresolute as to his course ; 
but in the end, he retraced his stg jjs and joined the Dela- 
ware. That night the three “camped ” on the head-waters 
of their own river, and the succeeding evening they en- 
tered the village of the tribe ; Chingachgook and his be- 
trothed in triumph ; their companion honored and admired, 
but in sorrow that it required months of activity to re- 
move. 

The war that then had its rise was stirring and bloody. 
The Delaware chief rose among his people, until his name 
was never mentioned without eulogiums ; while another 
Uncas, the last of his race, was added to the long line of 
warriors who bore that distinguished appellation. As for 
the Deerslayer, under the sobriquet of Hawk-eye, he made 
his fame spread far and near, until the crack of his rifle 
became as terrible to the ears of the Mingoes as the thun- 
ders of the Manitou. His services were soon required by 
the officers of, the crown, and he especially attaclied him- 
self, in the field, to one in particular, with whose after-life 
he had close and important connection. 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


535 


Fifteen years had passed away, ere it was in the power 
of the Deerslayer to revisit the Glimmerglass. A peace had 
intervened, and it was on the eve of another and still more 
important war, when he and his constant friend Chingach- 
gook, were hastening to the forts to join their allies. A 
stripling accompanied them, for Hist already slumbered 
beneath the pines of the Delawares, and the three survi- 
vors had now become inseparable. They reached the lake 
just-as the sun was setting. Here all was unchanged : the 
river still rushed through its bower of trees ; the little rock 
was wasting away by the slow action of the waves in the 
course of centuries ; the mountains stood in their native 
dress, dark, rich, and mysterious ; while the sheet glistened 
in its solitude, a beautiful gem of the forest. 

The following morning the youth discovered one of the 
canoes drifted on the shore, in a state of decay. A little 
labor put it in a state for service, and they all embarked, 
with a desire to examine the place. All the points were 
passed, and Chingachgook pointed out to his son the spot 
where the Hurons had first encamped, and the point 
whence he had succeeded in stealing his bride. Here 
they even landed ; but all traces of the former visit had 
disappeared. Next they proceeded to the scene of the 
battle, and there they found a few of the signs that linger 
around such localities. Wild beasts had disinterred many 
of the bodies, and human bones were bleaching in the 
rains of summer. Uncas regarded all with reverence and 
pity, though traditions were already arousing his young 
mind to the ambition and sternness of a warrior. 

From the point the canoe took its way toward the shoal, 
where the remains of the castle were still visible, a pictu- 
resque ruin. The storms of winter had long since un- 
roofed the house, and decay had eaten into the logs. All 
the fastenings were untouched, but the seasons rioted in 
the place, as if in mockery at the attempt to exclude 
them. The palisades were rotting, as were the piles; and 
it was evident that a few more recurrences of winter, a 
few more gales and tempests would sweep all into the lake, 
and blot out the building from the face of that magnificent 
solitude. The graves could not be found. Either the ele- 
ments had obliterated their traces, or time had caused those 
who looked for them to forget their position. 


536 


THE DEERSLAVER. 


The ark was discovered stranded on the eastern shore, 
where it had long before been driven with the prevalent 
northwest winds. It lay on the sandy extremity of a long, 
low point, that is situated about two miles from the out- 
let, and which is itself fast disappearing before the action 
of the elements. The scow was filled with water, the 
cabin unroofed, and the logs were decaying. Some of its 
coarser furniture still remained, and the heart of Deer- 
slayer beat quick, as he found a ribbon of Judith’s fljutter- 
ing from a log. It recalled all her beauty, and, we may 
add, all her failings. Although the girl had never touched 
his heart, the Hawk-eye, for so we ought now to call him, 
still retained a kind and sincere interest in her welfare. 
He tore away the ribbon, and knotted it to the stock of 
Killdeer, which had been the gift of the girl herself. 

A few miles farther up the lake another of the canoes 
was discovered ; and on the point where the party finally 
landed, were found those which had been left there upon 
the shore. That in which the present navigation was 
made, and the one discovered on the eastern shore, had 
dropped through the decayed floor of the castle, drifted 
past the falling palisades, and had been thrown as waifs 
upon the beach. 

From all these signs it was probable the lake had not 
been visited since the occurrence of the final scene of our 
tale. Accident or tradition had rendered it again a spot 
sacred to Nature ; the frequent wars, and the feeble popu- 
lation of the colonies, still confining the settlements within 
narrow boundaries, Chingachgook and his friend left the 
spot with melancholy feelings. It had been the region of 
their First War-Path, and it carried back the minds of 
both to scenes of tenderness as well as to hours of triumph. 
They held their way toward the Mohawk in silence, how- 
ever, to rush into new adventures, as stirring and as re- 
markable as those which had attended their opening ca- 
reer on this lovely lake. At a later day they returned to 
the place, where the Indian found a grave. 

Time and circumstances have drawn an impenetrable 
mystery around all else connected with the Hutters. 
They lived, erred, died, and are forgotten. None con- 
nected have felt sufficient interest in the disgraced and dis- 
gracing to withdraw the veil ; and a century is about to 


THE DEERSLAYER. 


537 


erase even the recollection of their names. The history 
of crime is ever revolting, and it is fortunate that few love 
to dwell on its incidents. The sins of the family have 
long since been arraigned at the judgment-seat of God, or 
are registered for the terrible settlement of the last great 
day. 

The same fate attended Judith. When Hawk-eye reached 
the garrison on the Mohawk, he inquired anxiously after 
that lovely but misguided creature. None knew her — 
even her person was no longer remembered. Other offi- 
cers had again and again succeeded the Warleys and 
Craigs and Grahams ; though an old sergeant of the gar- 
rison, who had lately come from, England, was enabled to 
tell our hero that Sir Robert Warley lived on his paternal 
estate, and that there was a lady of rare beauty in the 
lodge, who had great influence over him, though she did 
not bear his name. Whether this was Judith, relapsed 
into her early failing, or some other victim of the sol- 
dier’s, Hawk-eye never knew, nor would it be pleasant or 
profitable to inquire. We live in a world of transgressions 
and selfishness, and no pictures that represent us other- 
wise can be true ; though happily for human nature, 
gleam ings of that pure spirit in whose likeness mc.n has 
been fashioned are to be seen, relieving its deformities, 
and mitigating, if not excusing, its crimes. 


THE END. 




\ 


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LOVELL’S LIBRARY. 


AHEAD OF ALL COMPETITORS. 


The improvement.'! being constantly made in “ Lovell’s Library,” have placed it 
in the Front Rank of cheap publications in this country. The publishers propose to 
still further improve the series by having 

BETTER IPAIPER^ 

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and more attractive cover than any series in the market. 


SEE IS SAIE OE IT; 

The following extract from a letter recently received shows the appre- 
ciation in which the Library is held by those who most constantly read it ; 

“MERCANxrLE Library, \ 

“ Baltimore, August 29, 18b3. \ 

“Will you kindly send me two copies of your latest list? I am glad to see that 
you now issue a volume every day. Your Library we find greatly preferable to tho 
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JOHN W. LOVELL CO., Publishers, 

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J. Fenimore Cooper’s Masterpieces. 


THE SPY. 


The Last of the Mohicans. 

1 vo^, 12mo. Paper Covers, 50c. Cloth. Gold and Black, $1.00. 


These books are undbridged, and printed on heavy white paper 
from large, new type. 

What Daniel Webster said of these Books: — “The enduring 
monuments of J. Fenimore Cooper are his works. While the love 
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of the people. So truly patriotic and American throughout, they 
should find a place in every American’s library.” 

W. H. Prescott, the great historian, said: — “In his produc- 
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Another great historian, George Bancroft, writes: — “His 
surpassing ability has made his own name and the names of the 
creations of his fancy ‘household words’ throughout the civilized 
world.” 

Washington Irving left on record:— “Cooper emphatically 
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Wm. C. Bryant, the poet and philosopher, says:— “He wrote for 
mankind at lai ge; hence it is that he has earned a fame wider than 
any author of modern times. The creations of his genius shall 
survive through centuries to come, and only perish with our 
language.” 


JOHN W. LOVELL CO., Publishers, 

14 & 16 Vesey St, New York. 


“ The Most Popular Books of the Day/’ 


Works of “The Duchess,” 

PUBLISHED BY 

JOHN W. LOVELL COMPANY, 
14 & 16 Vesey St., New York. 
PHYLLIS. 

1 Vol., 12 mo., handsome cloth, gilt, $1.00. The same in paper, 50 cents. 
Also, in Lovell’s Library, No. 78, 20 cents. 

“ It is facinating to a high degree * * ♦ j^y aside the hook 

•with a sigh of regret that the pleasure is over, after mingiiug our laughter and 
tears with the varying fortunes of the charming heroine.” — A. Y. Evening 
Mail. 

‘‘Certainly ‘Phyllis’ is one of th« most fascinating little novels that has 
appeared this ye&r.—New Orleans Times. 


MOLLY BAWN. 

1 Vol., 12 mo., handsome cloth, gilt, $1.00. The same in paper, 50 cents. 

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“ Is really an attractive novel. Full of wit, spirit and gayety, the book con- 
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London Athenaeum. 

AIRY FAIRY LILIAN. 

1 Vol., 12mo., m handsome cloth, gilt, $1.00. The same in paper, 50 cents. 

Also, in LOVELL’S Library, No. 92, 20 cents. 

” The airiest and most sparuling contribution of the month is the brilliant 
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1 Vol., 12mo., in handsome cloth, gilt, $1.00. The same in paper, 50 cente 
Also, in Lovell's Library, No. 90, 20 cents. 

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By LORD LYTTON. 

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This work is happily conceived and ably executed. It is flowing and grace- 
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THE COMING RACE; 

Or, THE NEW UTOPIA. • 

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A STRANGE! STORY: 

By LORD LYTTON, 

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& BOOK THAT EVEEYBODY SHOULD EEAD. 


WOMAN’S Place To-day. ^ 

I • ^ ! 

By MRS. LILLIE DEVEREAUX BLAKE. 


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One of the sensations of last winter in New York City was the series of lect- 
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“ Woman’s Place To Day” is a brilliant, humorous, witty and logical defence 
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“ In speaking of Dr. Dix, it seems that the reverend gentleman has vrry little 
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